Malawi’s tight presidential race has been rocked by fraud allegations after police arrested eight data entry clerks accused of trying to manipulate vote tallies.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu confirmed the arrests, saying investigators uncovered attempts to tamper with results while the electoral commission continues verifying returns from across the country.
Rivalry Reignites
Early official tallies show former president Peter Mutharika edging ahead, with incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trailing in second place. Both men are long-time rivals whose 2019 contest was annulled by the courts over widespread irregularities, including the infamous use of Tipp-Ex on results sheets.
Mutharika, 85, is seeking a dramatic comeback after being unseated in the 2020 rerun that swept Chakwera, now 70, to power.
Complaints and Caution
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, alleging irregularities in the current count, though no specifics have been made public.
Officials insist they will only declare a winner once all votes are tallied and verified, warning political parties not to prematurely claim victory. By law, the commission must publish final results by Wednesday.
High Stakes in a Struggling Economy
This election is taking place amid one of Malawi’s worst economic crises in decades. Inflation is running near 30%, fuel and foreign currency are scarce, and basic goods like a frozen chicken now cost about $20, in a country where most citizens survive on $2 a day or less.
Alongside the presidential poll, Malawians also voted in parliamentary and local elections, adding to the pressure on election officials to deliver a credible and transparent outcome.
Next Update:
Results from all 36 districts are expected on Saturday, with a possible run-off if no candidate crosses the 50% threshold.
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