Malawi Election Result Clouded by Arrests of 8 Suspects in Electoral Fraud Probe

Breaking News: Malawi Election Result Marred by Allegations of Electoral Fraud Eight individuals have been arrested by the Malawian police for alleged electoral fraud, as the country awaits the final results of Tuesday's general election. The suspects, who were working as data entry clerks, are accused of attempting to manipulate the vote figures. According to Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu, the arrests were made following a thorough investigation into allegations of electoral irregularities. The police have confirmed that the suspects were involved in manipulating the data, but no further details have been released at this time. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed concern over the alleged fraud and has vowed to ensure a free and fair election process. "We take these allegations seriously and will do everything in our power to prevent any attempts to manipulate the results," said MEC Chairperson Chigwenembe. This is not the first time Malawi's electoral process has been marred by controversy. In 2019, the country's highest court annulled then-President Peter Mutharika's victory, citing widespread irregularities. As a result, the MEC is on high alert for any potential issues. The election results are still pending, with incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera trailing behind Mutharika in the initial tallies. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by Chakwera, has lodged a complaint with the electoral commission over alleged irregularities. As the country waits for the final results, the parties have been warned not to prematurely declare victory. More results from the 36 districts are expected to be released at the weekend, and if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a run-off will be held. The Malawi government has assured citizens that it is committed to ensuring a peaceful and transparent election process. The country's parties have been urged to remain calm and allow the electoral commission to complete its work. In the meantime, the MEC has announced that it will conduct an audit of all voting materials to ensure the integrity of the election results. The outcome of this investigation will determine the course of action for the electoral commission and the Malawi government. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Bbc reporting.*