In a dramatic turn of events, Malawi's election process has been thrown into chaos as police arrest eight individuals for alleged electoral fraud. Just hours after the general election results were expected, these data entry clerks were caught trying to manipulate votes.

Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu confirmed the arrests and emphasized the seriousness of the accusations, highlighting the heightened vigilance of Malawi's electoral commission. The country is eager to avoid a repeat of the 2019 election scandal that led to the annulment of former President Peter Mutharika's victory due to extensive irregularities.

Current results indicate that Mutharika is leading against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, but tensions are rising. The Malawi Congress Party has officially lodged a complaint regarding irregularities in the counting process, although details remain under wraps.

With crucial results from 36 districts yet to be declared, any candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the votes to win outright; otherwise, a runoff will ensue. Election officials are under pressure to ensure that all ballots are tallied meticulously before announcing the results to avoid challenges.

As the clock ticks down to Wednesday's deadline for final tallies, concerns mount amidst a severe economic crisis in Malawi. Citizens are grappling with an inflation rate soaring close to 30%, struggling with basic necessities like fuel and food.

The stakes are high and the nation is on edge. Can Mutharika stage a political comeback, or will Chakwera defend his position as a leader amid mounting accusations? The world watches closely as Malawi navigates this critical moment in its political landscape.