Police in Malawi have arrested eight suspects linked to alleged electoral fraud as the nation awaits the final results of the recent general election held on Tuesday. The Inspector General, Merlyne Yolamu, indicated that the detained individuals, functioning as data entry clerks, were involved in attempts to manipulate electoral figures.

The current election follows a highly contentious 2019 election, where the Supreme Court annulled former President Peter Mutharika's victory due to widespread irregularities.

With the electoral commission remaining vigilant against potential discrepancies, initial tallies indicate Mutharika is ahead, followed closely by incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera.

Subsequent results from Malawi’s 36 districts are anticipated to be released by Saturday, with candidates needing over 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party has filed a complaint with the electoral commission, asserting they've uncovered inconsistencies in the counting process. However, details regarding these irregularities have not been disclosed.

The electoral commission aims to finalize and verify all votes prior to announcing the official outcome to prevent challenges to the final results. Under the law, they are required to announce the tallies by the end of Wednesday.

The 2019 elections revealed significant tampering issues, including the illicit use of correction fluid on result sheets.

Amid this tension, Chakwera, 70, who previously won the presidency in a re-run, faces Mutharika, 85, who strives for a comeback. These elections also included parliamentary and local contests, set against a backdrop of an escalating economic crisis, leading to severe shortages of fuel and foreign currency.

The inflation rate hovers near 30%, with basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for the population, who largely survive on modest incomes.