A group of citizens in Malawi has spoken out against plans to set age limits for people who want to run for president. Led by Edward Kambanje and Oliver Nakoma, they say the ruling Malawi Congress Party aims to change the law.
The group claims the party wants to spend 300 million kwacha to pass the changes. They believe this money will go to Members of Parliament and others who support the new law.
The planned change would prohibit anyone over 75 from running for president. This would change Section 80(6) of Malawi's basic law. The group sees this as an attack on citizens' rights to take part in running their nation.
"We have learned the MCP has set aside much money to win support from lawmakers, community groups, chiefs, and others," the group said in a paper they wrote. They think this planned law would hurt the nation's freedom.
The group asked Members of Parliament not to pass this law. They plan to tell people across Malawi about what their lawmakers do. If the changes move ahead, they will walk in the streets and ask other nations to step in.
"Our land faces big money problems that need fixing," the group said. They want Parliament to work on helping people, not changing who can run for office.
These concerns come as Malawi heads toward voting in 2025. People already worry about who can sign up to vote and whether the process will be fair. Many citizens feel angry that their leaders want to change voting rules instead of fixing the nation's money problems.
The group wants all citizens who care about Malawi to stand up for their rights. They believe these changes would make the nation less free and hurt its future.
The group claims the party wants to spend 300 million kwacha to pass the changes. They believe this money will go to Members of Parliament and others who support the new law.
The planned change would prohibit anyone over 75 from running for president. This would change Section 80(6) of Malawi's basic law. The group sees this as an attack on citizens' rights to take part in running their nation.
"We have learned the MCP has set aside much money to win support from lawmakers, community groups, chiefs, and others," the group said in a paper they wrote. They think this planned law would hurt the nation's freedom.
The group asked Members of Parliament not to pass this law. They plan to tell people across Malawi about what their lawmakers do. If the changes move ahead, they will walk in the streets and ask other nations to step in.
"Our land faces big money problems that need fixing," the group said. They want Parliament to work on helping people, not changing who can run for office.
These concerns come as Malawi heads toward voting in 2025. People already worry about who can sign up to vote and whether the process will be fair. Many citizens feel angry that their leaders want to change voting rules instead of fixing the nation's money problems.
The group wants all citizens who care about Malawi to stand up for their rights. They believe these changes would make the nation less free and hurt its future.
