UDF presidential hopeful Atupele Muluzi clocks 35 years
Presidential candidate for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) Atupele Muluzi has clocked 35 years, ending uncertainty surrounding his eligibility to run for the country’s presidency in 2014 tripartite elections.
Atupele, son to former president Bakili Muluzi and UDF national chairperson, turned 35 on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
UDF’s national executive committee placed a congratulatory message in one of the daily papers, wishing the youthful presidential aspirant many happy returns for turning 35.
In the message, the UDF’s National Executive Committee, MPs, regional, district, constituency areas branches wards and zone committees, members and supports are wished their leader a happy and prosperous life as he celebrates his 35th birthday on Tuesday August 6, 2013.
“May the Almighty God continue to give him wisdom and courage as he leads the party to victory in 2014,” reads the message in part.
This will likely put to rest the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility for the country’s top seat, which he plans to vie for, come May 20, 2014.
A person is eligible for nomination of the presidency if he or she attained the age of 35, according to the country’s Republican Constitution.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Uladi Mussa has been telling Malawians that the UDF leader would be ineligible to run for the country’s presidency as he would be still under 35, come 2014 tripartite elections.
Mussa also alleged the UDF chair falsified his true date of birth and not fit to form the next government.
Apparently, the remarks did not go down well with Muluzi who later sued Mussa claiming damages for defamation, exemplary damages, aggravated damages and costs of the action.
However, Mussa argued through his lawyer that Muluzi, being a politician and an aspiring presidential candidate for 2014 elections, is liable to public scrutiny and fair comments on his age, character, experience, ability to public speeches and any other attributes relating to a public office, more particularly of the high office of the President of Malawi.
The matter is to go for arbitration.
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