In the wake of Malawi's general elections, the police have arrested eight individuals for alleged electoral fraud, intensifying concerns surrounding the integrity of the electoral process.
According to Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu, the suspects, who were employed as data entry clerks, were caught attempting to manipulate the figures of the election results.
These elections, a pivotal moment for the nation, come after the controversial annulment of the 2019 election, where significant irregularities were cited by the highest court, leading to a rerun. Currently, preliminary tallies suggest that former President Peter Mutharika is in the lead, while incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trails behind.
Both leading political parties have raised alarms about potential irregularities. Chakwera's Malawi Congress Party has filed a complaint with the electoral commission, claiming discrepancies in the count. Similarly, the United Democratic Front, led by presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi, has alleged serious irregularities in multiple tallying centers.
The electoral commission has mandated that the final results will only be announced once all votes have been verified to avoid any contestation over the results. Per legal requirements, the commission is expected to finalize and announce the election tallies by the end of Wednesday.
This year's elections are particularly critical as they come amid a severe economic crisis characterized by fuel shortages and skyrocketing inflation, significantly impacting daily life for Malawians.
