By Francis Polinyu Banda
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has critised the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for planning to take the Age Limit Bill to parliament,saying the move is a deliberate mission to bar its torch bearer former president Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika from contesting in the September 16,2025 presidential election.
In a press statement released on Monday, February 10,2025, and signed by it’s Secretary General Peter Mukhitho,the DPP said the MCP” s motive is undermining democratic iIdeals and a Call for accountability and adherence to international human iights norms.
The statement said the recent activities of the Malawi Congress Party concerning the proposed age limit bill represent a troubling breach of democratic norms and a potential violation of international and human rights standards,adding the intent behind this bill is clear to sideline Professor Peter Mutharika as a contender in the September 2025 Presidential elections.
It says this action not only endangers Malawi’s democratic ethos but also contravenes international commitments to fair and just governance.
*At the heart of democracy lies the principle of inclusivity and fair competition, where leadership is determined by the will of the people through free and fair elections.
“By seeking to manipulate electoral eligibility criteria with the objective of excluding political rivals, the MCP risks undermining the essence of representative democracy”,reads part of the statement.
The DPP further says the action by the MCP is a deviation from Malawi’s responsibilities as outlined in international frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Malawi is a signitory.
“Under Article 25 of the ICCPR, every citizen must have the right and the opportunity to vote and be elected without unreasonable restrictions”,the statement has quoted.
The DPP has also noted that the recent passing of a bill protecting the aged from discrimination on political grounds in Malawi stands in stark contrast to the intended objectives of the age limit bill,stating that this proposed legislation targets a specific demographic by setting arbitrary barriers, thus breaching fundamental human rights principles that prohibit discrimination.
The statement cited Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which emphasize equality and non-discrimination, and stand opposed to such precedents of exclusion based on age.
The statement has accused the MCP for allegedly distributing monetary incentives to Members of Parliament (MPs) to sway their votes once the Bill gets to parliament and poses as a significant concern about the integrity of legislative processes.
The party has since asked the international community, local watchdog agencies, and civil society organizations to remain vigilant, offering robust dialogues and urging Malawian political actors to honour their international obligations.