Malawi presidential age-limit bill fails to get unanimous consent
President Peter Mutharika, former president Joyce Banda and opposition leader Lazrus Chakwera have escaped the 2019 presidential race disqualification over age matters after legislators from both sides of the House dismissed a motion which seeks to limit the presidential age to 65.
Nsanje south MP Joseph Chidanti Malunga moved the motion on Thursday, saying Malawi should show commitment in the empowerment of the youth by limiting the age to which presidents should be in office.
He therefore suggested that section 80 of the Republican Constitution be amended to put a cap on the age presidents can be in office.
Malunga however said the motion was not targeting an individual.
President Mutharika is 79 whilst vice president Saulos Chilima who heads the Chilima movement and wants to run for presidency is 45, Banda is 68 while Chakwera could be barred in the next elections.
Seconding the motion, Mulanje south MP Bon Kalindo said experience has shown that old and aged leaders do not make decisions on their own.
“Decisions are always made by those who surround the leaders,” he said.
Both Malunga and Kalindo are members of the Chilima movement, a breakaway grouping of former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP0.
However, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lilongwe south MP Peter Dimba said the motion was segregative against old people and it was targeting an individual, President Mutharika ahead of next year’s elections.
Dimba argued that age does not deliver but competency of an individual.
He gave an example of former presidents Kamuzu Banda and Bingu wa Mutharika whom he said delivered despite their advanced ages.
Dimba said: “Age has nothing to do with the quality of leadership and there is no correlation between age and leadership. This country does not need a young man as President. This country does not need an old man as President. This country needs a leader.”
Mulanje Bale MP Victor Musowa described the motion as disrespectful to the youth and a mockery to the elderly.
After the heated debate, Malunga decided not to wind up, a process which could have led to voting on whether to adopt the motion or not as the motion was heading towards defeat.
Chilima movement officials have been accusing Mutharika of incompetency due to old age, saying decisions are made on his behalf by those who surround him, allegations vehemently denied by the president.
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DPP reporter. Dr. Chakwera has no age!
Wasted time!!!. Why not focus on real issues like voter education, changing the constitution to require immediate investigation of higher crime like crippling corruption? How can you build an inland port without proper consultation? You can’t build an airport in the North of Malawi or challenge the president to report progress on road building at mombera university?
Age limiterss were wantonly misguided on this issue.
Round 1 APM and SKC. argument point age. Result APM 100. SKC 0. The Chilima movement made one huge mistake by claiming that Peter was too old to lead. They were trying to be polite to the president something that doesn’t work in politics. Calista should’ve been direct. APM has failed Malawians and can no longer lead DPP to victory in 2019. Then all their campaigns should have centered on performance. Round 2 APM and SKC argument point presidential age limit regislation. winner APM The Chilima movement were so naive to think that MCP would agree to be thrown into… Read more »
The man who moved this motion and the one seconding it are both below 65 but look at how shallow they can think.
KKKKKKKKKKKKK !!!!!! Mr. Malunga and Mr. Kalindo. Do not display your dullness and bitterness in public. This is very embarassing !!!
SHAMED to the bone. Chilima Movement is making so many mistakes by focusing on non-issues. This should not have been brought to parliament at all because barring someone from contesting the presidency is discriminatory.
Malunga and Kalindo plus others please stop embarrassing Chilima . What the MCP Legislator – Dimba said yesterday in parliament about Chilima, was a shame to he – Chilima. ” Just because he plays volley ball, he goes to the Gym and goes to run and is 45 he thinks he is fit for the Presidency?” What is the Manifesto of and Agenda of the Chilima Movement??? he queried . Please Malunga and Kalindo plus Kaliyati we all know you are disgruntled guys. Why did you not argue against Dimba? Why did you Malunga not wind up the motion? Why… Read more »
Cash and not reason is talking in parliament
Manyazi azigwire anthu awo onyoza anthu akuluakulu. Ma motion anu inu a chilima movement azingophwanyidwabe mu parliament. Ine olo zzitavuta bwanji sindingatsatire Patricia Kaliat, Bon Kalindo, Chidanti Malunga komanso Calista ndi mbuzi zina zonse. Chilima movement ikana\chita bwino ikanakhala ndi anthu ena osati mikango yanjala ili mu movementiyi. I like chilima a lot but he is just surrounded by a banch of losers.
DPP 100% : AKWENI & SKC MOVEMENT 0%.
Round 1 mwagwa nayo.
Kalonga naye wabanduka. Mwagwa nayonso round 2.