Atupele says 2014 Malawi needs new generation of leaders: Barnstorms Mwanza
Presidential candidate for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 2014 elections Atupele Muluzi on Sunday humbly walked on dusty roads going door-to-door asking villagers in the southern district of Mwanza to go and register in their various voter registration centres.
Mwanza is among districts where first phase of the voter registration exercise for 2014 tripartite elections is underway.
The UDF’s youthful leader was the center of attraction as he walked with ordinary villagers in the remote areas of Thambani shaking hands and sharing jokes while at the same time asking them to register.
In his messages during his rallies at Thambani trading center and Mwanza community center ground, Muluzi centered on the importance of the voter registration exercise.
“Let us all go and register, because that is the only way one can be allowed to vote in 2014 elections,” he said.
He told thousands of people who attended the rallies that 2014 tripartite elections will be like a referendum where Malawians will either vote for a continuation of many problems the country is facing or usher in a new era of leadership that is progressive, visionary and with a clear agenda to transform the country.
He said: “It Is a mockery of truth for any politician in the country to claim that Malawians are enjoying their daily lives and that the economy is working for an ordinary person.”
Muluzi asked the people, to put all their trust in a new generation of leadership.
“The UDF party laid the foundation by introducing programs that were people-centered and designed to uplift the welfare of the rural and urban poor, like MASF I, II, III and IV,” he said.
Atupele said the 2014 election will come at a very important time in the history of the country as it will be year when Malawi will be celebrating Jubilee year, 50 years after independence.
“We need to ask ourselves question: Has our country progressed over the past 50 years?”
He said that it is sad that 50 years after independence, the majority of Malawians are still wallowing in abject poverty, saying the situation has been caused by weak leadership and governance.
The youthful leader urged people in the country to support the New Agenda for Change saying it is the only way life of ordinary Malawians can be improved.
The UDF leader, urged the government to free the airwaves so that all political parties are accorded fair coverage by the state-run radio stations and television, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.
He said fair coverage to all competing political parties will give credibility to the electoral process.
Atupele continues his tour with a visit to Chikhwawa on Tuesday and Nsanje on Wednesday.
