Tensions surrounding Malawi’s 2025 General Elections escalated after eight data clerks were arrested on suspicion of manipulating election data at the Nkhoma Constituency Tally Centre in Lilongwe.
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) confirmed the arrests on September 19, noting that the suspects were involved in data entry duties during the polls.
The arrests followed an investigation into an attempted suicide by Clement Chikanhka, the Malawi Electoral Commission’s returning officer for Lilongwe Nkhoma Constituency.
While specific links between Chikanhka’s attempted suicide and the alleged data manipulation have not been disclosed, the incident has sparked widespread speculation about possible electoral irregularities.
Official election results have yet to be announced, intensifying public anxiety as citizens await clarity on whether these arrests could impact the final outcome.
Electoral malpractice remains a highly sensitive issue in Malawi, where past disputed elections have occasionally led to unrest and legal challenges.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Peter Kalaya emphasized that the investigation is broader than a single case, with similar probes ongoing in several districts including Mangochi, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Machinga, and Rumphi.
Kalaya urged the public to stay calm while investigations continue.
The methods allegedly used to manipulate election data have not been revealed, but the ongoing inquiries demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to ensuring a transparent electoral process. Malawi’s 2019 presidential election had been annulled due to widespread irregularities, prompting heightened vigilance in the 2025 polls.
The arrests of these election officials mark a significant development amid a closely contested election where the incumbent and former president vie for national leadership.
The Malawi Electoral Commission has committed to a meticulous verification process before announcing any final results to avoid challenges.
