Malawi's electoral commission says it has been blocked from announcing presidential election results until a "transparent recounting of the ballot papers" in 10 districts including the country's commercial hub, Blantyre.

The High Court injunction was obtained by the leading opposition Malawi Congress Party and its candidate Lazarus Chakwera amid scores of complaints filed with the commission by various parties over the election process.

Earlier results of Tuesday's election showed Chakwera trailing President Peter Mutharika, who seeks a second five-year term.

Corruption and the need for economic growth have been the main election issues in Malawi, one of the world's least developed countries.