Election Workers Get Detained Over Vote Manipulation

(MENAFN) Authorities in Malawi have confirmed that at least eight individuals were taken into custody on accusations of altering vote counts in the southern African nation’s recent general elections.

The detained suspects had been employed as data entry officers at the Nkhoma Constituency Tally Centre in Lilongwe, the capital city, where they were apprehended on Friday, according to a statement from the Malawi Police Service on Saturday.

The Police Service emphasized that it “urges Malawians to remain calm as it works against the clock to finalize the investigations,” assuring the public that inquiries are underway.

Citizens of Malawi cast their ballots last Tuesday in nationwide elections to choose the president, parliamentary representatives, and local council members.

As reported by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), approximately 7.2 million voters were registered for the September 16 polls.

President Lazarus Chakwera ran for re-election, facing challengers who pledged to address rampant inflation, escalating living costs, and persistent fuel shortages.

Sixteen additional contenders also joined the race, including ex-presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda.

Preliminary figures published over the weekend indicated that Mutharika was ahead, followed by Chakwera.

The former head of state had gained about 51% of the valid ballots counted in nine out of Malawi’s 36 councils, compared with nearly 39% for the sitting president, a news outlet reported, citing tallies based on official data.

To achieve outright victory, a candidate must win more than 50% of the total vote, otherwise the top two will face a run-off.

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