…A month after their alleged arrest over data manipulation during the September 16 polls, neither the police, judiciary, nor the Malawi Electoral Commission can account for the whereabouts or status of the eight clerks.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-At the height of tensions following the September 16 elections, the Malawi Police Service announced that it had arrested eight data entry clerks at a constituency tally center in Lilongwe.
The arrests were reportedly made over allegations of data manipulation during the vote-counting process, a development that stirred widespread concern among electoral stakeholders and the public.
Police at the time said the arrests followed an investigation linked to an attempted suicide by a Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) official responsible for the same constituency.
However, weeks later, the mystery surrounding the case has only deepened, as no one seems to have clear details about what transpired after the announcement.
Checks with the judiciary have revealed that there is no record of the case being brought before any court in Malawi, raising serious questions about the nature and legality of the arrests.
It has now been a month since police reportedly detained the eight election data clerks in Lilongwe, yet no official information has been released regarding their identities, charges, or current status.
Authorities remain tight-lipped about the progress of the case, with both the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Electoral Commission offering little to no clarity.
According to local media, Police Public Relations Officer Peter Kalaya asked for more time to respond on the matter.
Meanwhile, MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said the commission was not involved in the arrests and had no information regarding the detentions.
The lack of transparency has fueled speculation and public unease, with many Malawians calling for accountability and an explanation from authorities.
As the mystery persists, the case of the eight missing election data clerks stands as a troubling symbol of the opaque handling of electoral and security matters in the aftermath of Malawi’s closely contested September 16 elections.
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