The grouping dubbed ‘Concerned Citizens’ says they will on 26th February, present to parliament an age recommendation bill, which seeks to put an age limit on candidates of the presidential seat.
Senior member of the Concerned Citizens, Agape Khombe, told this publication that their grouping thinks people over the age of 80 should not contest in presidential elections.
This comes as opposition DPP recently blamed the ruling MCP, that they are planning to bring the bill in parliament to bar the former leader Peter Muthalika.
Khombe said the bill seeks to amend section 80, sub section 6 of the constitution, and argue the move could benefit the youth.
“We are trying to equate, to equate the gap between the youth and the and the elderly. You understand the bill talks about the minimum age, which is 35 for somebody to stand as a presidential candidate of the country at the same time, it does not specify as to what, to what extent does that elder person be eligible. So we say, much as we had to put a limit to the youth, why can’t we do the same to the elder person” said Khombe.
Meanwhile, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) through its spokesperson Gilford Matonga says lawmakers need to unity of purpose, in their deliberations that have started Monday afternoon, hinting that the the country is in deep economic crisis.
However, Matonga fears the plight of Malawi would only worsen should legislators, fail to put the interest of their people as a priority.
To his part, political commentator, victor Chipofya, described the current sitting of Parliament as a make or break; and reminds lawmakers not to put politics first.
