Malawi Election: Eight Arrested Over Alleged Vote Rigging as Results Awaited
Police in Malawi have arrested eight individuals on suspicion of electoral fraud as the nation anxiously awaits the final results of Tuesday’s general election.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu confirmed that the suspects, who were working as data entry clerks, allegedly attempted to manipulate vote counts.
The arrests come against the backdrop of Malawi’s turbulent electoral history. In 2019, the Constitutional Court annulled former President Peter Mutharika’s victory after finding widespread irregularities, including tampering with results sheets using correction fluid. That decision triggered a historic re-run, which saw Lazarus Chakwera secure the presidency in a landslide.
Tight Race Between Mutharika and Chakwera
Preliminary tallies suggest Peter Mutharika, 85, is currently in the lead, while incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, trails in second place. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the country will head into a runoff.
More official results from Malawi’s 36 districts are expected to be released on Saturday. By law, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has until the end of Wednesday to announce the final verified outcome.
To prevent premature claims of victory, the MEC has urged political parties to wait for the official announcement. Still, Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party has already lodged a complaint, alleging irregularities in the vote count, though officials have not provided specific details.
Economic Crisis Shapes the Election
The vote has been dominated by Malawi’s worsening economic challenges, including fuel shortages, foreign currency scarcity, and surging inflation of nearly 30%.
Everyday costs highlight the strain: in the capital Lilongwe, a frozen chicken now sells for around $20 (£15), in a country where most citizens survive on less than $2 a day.
Alongside the presidential race, Malawians also cast their ballots in parliamentary and local elections, making this a pivotal moment for the country’s political and economic future.
Political Rivals and a Nation on Edge
This election once again pits longtime rivals against each other. Chakwera is fighting to extend his presidency, while Mutharika is seeking a dramatic comeback at the age of 85.
The electoral commission has stressed that results will only be released after all votes are tallied and verified, in order to avoid legal challenges and safeguard credibility.
With the memory of the annulled 2019 election still fresh, Malawians remain on edge as the final results could reshape the nation’s political landscape.