Police in Malawi have detained eight individuals accused of attempting to manipulate vote tallies during this week’s general elections, heightening tensions as the nation awaits official results.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu confirmed the arrests, identifying the suspects as data entry clerks assigned to tallying centres. Authorities allege they tried to alter figures as results were being processed.
The development comes as Malawians anxiously await the presidential outcome, with early tallies suggesting former president Peter Mutharika is in the lead, while incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trails in second place. Seventeen candidates contested the presidency, alongside parliamentary and local council seats.
Irregularities and Complaints
Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party announced it has lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, citing irregularities in the counting process. The United Democratic Front, led by presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi, also filed a formal objection, alleging “serious irregularities in multiple tallying centres.” Muluzi did not provide evidence publicly but said documents had been submitted to officials.
The electoral commission has urged calm, stressing that only results declared by the commission are legally binding. By law, final presidential results must be announced within eight days of voting, parliamentary outcomes within 14 days, and local results within 21 days.
Historical Context
The arrests have revived memories of Malawi’s disputed 2019 election, when the Constitutional Court annulled Mutharika’s victory after finding evidence of widespread tampering, including the use of correction fluid on official tally sheets. That ruling led to a historic re-run, which Chakwera won with nearly 60% of the vote.
Mutharika, now 85, is seeking a dramatic return to office in the midst of a worsening economic crisis. Inflation hovers near 30%, while fuel shortages and foreign currency scarcity have left many households struggling. With a frozen chicken in Lilongwe supermarkets costing the equivalent of $20, most Malawians — living on less than $2 a day — say they are eager for change.
What’s Next
If no candidate secures more than 50% of valid votes cast, the country will head to a run-off within 60 days. The commission is expected to release more district results over the weekend before announcing the final tallies by Wednesday.