By Draxon Maloya

 The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) has called for a swift probe of elections officials over allegations of data manipulation in connection with the 2025 General Elections.

 CSEIF commends the police for acting swiftly on this matter of grave national concern following the statement by the Malawi Police Service announcing the arrest of eight suspects, including a Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) official.

 In a statement issued on Saturday signed by CSEIF chairperson, Benedicto Khondowe states that a delay or lack of clarity risks undermining public confidence in the electoral process at this critical stage.

 “We urge the Malawi Police Service to conduct speedy, thorough, and transparent investigations to establish the facts and ensure that all those found culpable face the full force of the law,” writes Kondowe.

 The forum further calls upon the Malawi Electoral Commission to provide immediate and credible assurance to Malawians that the incident under investigation will not compromise the integrity of results from the affected constituency.

 “MEC has an irreplaceable constitutional duty to safeguard the will of the people by ensuring that every vote is counted and carries equal weight,” CSEIF emphasized.

 At the same time, CSEIF appeals to political parties and their supporters to exercise maximum restraint.

 “Allegations and concerns must be addressed only through legally defined avenues of redress,” the organization stated.

 Meanwhile, CSEIF reaffirms its commitment to closely monitor developments and will continue engaging relevant authorities to ensure that Malawi’s democratic gains are protected.