LILONGWE – Eight individuals employed as data clerks during Malawi’s 2025 General Elections have been arrested in connection with alleged manipulation of election results, police confirmed on Friday, 19 September 2025. The arrests took place at the Nkhoma Constituency Tally Centre in Lilongwe, raising questions about the integrity of the vote-counting process and sparking nationwide attention.
According to the Malawi Police Service (MPS), the detained individuals were engaged as data entry clerks during the elections, a role that involved handling and entering vote data submitted from polling stations.
In an official statement released on 19 September, the police said:
“Malawi Police Service (MPS) has arrested eight people suspected of manipulating data for the 2025 General Elections. MPS arrested the eight at Nkhoma Constituency Tally Centre in Lilongwe on Friday, September 19, 2025, where they were working as Data Entry Clerks during this year’s elections.”
The announcement confirmed that the arrests were part of a broader investigation related to an attempted suicide case involving Mr. Clement Chikanhka, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Constituency Returning Officer for Lilongwe Nkhoma Constituency.
Police explained that the arrests followed their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Chikanhka’s attempted suicide. While details remain limited, authorities indicated that the investigation revealed potential irregularities in the tallying and reporting of election results at the Nkhoma Constituency.
“Their arrest follows investigations MPS was conducting on an attempted suicide case involving Mr. Clement Chikanhka, a Malawi Electoral Commission Constituency Returning Officer for Lilongwe Nkhoma Constituency,” the statement read.
The case has heightened scrutiny on the electoral process, with citizens and political observers keen to understand how the alleged manipulation may influence the pending announcement of official election results.
Eight Data Clerks Arrested in Malawi Over Alleged Election Result Manipulation
As of Friday, the Malawi Electoral Commission has not released the final results for the 2025 General Elections. The MPS and MEC have stressed that investigations are ongoing, and no official confirmation has been made regarding the exact impact of the arrests on the vote count.
Authorities have also refrained from revealing the specific methods allegedly used to manipulate the data, or the precise charges that the arrested clerks may face, citing the need for careful investigation.
Police have indicated that the Nkhoma case is not isolated. According to reports, multiple incidents of alleged electoral malpractice have emerged in other districts, raising concerns over the integrity and transparency of the national vote-counting process.
“The Service is also following up on a number of similar cases reported in Mangochi, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Machinga, and Rumphi Districts,” said Mr. Peter Kalaya, ACP and Public Relations Officer for the MPS.
Kalaya called on the public to remain patient as investigations continue, emphasizing that authorities are working diligently to ensure a thorough and fair inquiry.
“MPS urges Malawians to remain calm as it works against the clock to finalize the investigations,” he stated.
The arrests have triggered significant public and political debate. Opposition parties and civil society groups have called for transparency and accountability, stressing that the integrity of the electoral process is critical for maintaining public trust in Malawi’s democracy.
Observers have noted that the involvement of data clerks, who play a crucial role in tallying votes, could have serious implications if any manipulation is confirmed. Concerns have also been raised about potential pressures on returning officers and other electoral staff, highlighting the need for robust monitoring mechanisms at constituency tally centers.
Police investigations are ongoing, and the MPS has promised updates as the inquiry progresses. Meanwhile, the MEC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the credibility of the 2025 General Elections, although no timeline has been provided for the release of official results.
The case underscores the challenges faced by electoral management bodies in ensuring transparent and secure vote counting, especially in the age of digital data entry. Citizens and stakeholders alike are closely watching developments, as the outcome of the investigations could have ramifications for Malawi’s political landscape.
At present, the eight data clerks remain in custody, and the police have urged the public not to speculate while the investigations are underway. Further details on the scope of the alleged manipulation, potential accomplices, or charges are expected in the coming weeks as authorities work to bring clarity to the situation.
Source- iHarare
