By Twink Jones Gadama
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has denied rumors that the government is planning to introduce an Age Bill aimed at blocking former President Peter Mutharika from contesting in the upcoming elections.
Richard Chimwendo Banda, the party’s Secretary General, described the rumors as “baseless” and “propaganda” spread by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to deceive the public.
“There is no Age Bill whatsoever. We are not afraid of anyone. Anyone who is eligible will contest and we will campaign and win the elections,” Chimwendo Banda said.
Chimwendo Banda made the remarks on Saturday at Thambani in Mwanza, where he also urged people to vote for President Lazarus Chakwera in the upcoming elections. He was accompanied by other senior party officials, including Abida Mia, Owen Chomanika, and Moses Kunkuyu.
He urged Malawians to vote for Chakwera again, promising that the president will correct his past mistakes and deliver on his campaign promises.
Chimwendo Banda’s remarks come amidst speculation that the government is planning to introduce an Age Bill that would bar Mutharika, who is above 80 years old, from contesting in the elections. However, the MCP has denied any knowledge of such a bill, describing the rumors as a ploy by the DPP to gain sympathy from the public.
The development has sparked heated debate among Malawians, with some calling on the government to clarify its position on the matter. Others have urged the MCP and the DPP to focus on issue-based campaigning rather than spreading propaganda and rumors.
As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the debate over the Age Bill is likely to continue, with many Malawians eagerly waiting to see how the situation unfolds.
