O P P O S I T I O N P e o p l e ' s Progressive Movement (PPM) has come out of the political shell to declare its ambitions of electing executive office bearers including a presidential candidate for 2014 general elections at the end of this year.

PPM has Mark Katsonga as its acting president.

PPM's National Campaign Director Elliot Sam made the declaration last Sunday during the party's rally held at Tomali Primary School ground in Chikhwawa.

S a m s a i d u n f i l l e d developmental promises by most of the country's politicians and pathetic living conditions of many Malawians have compelled PPM to elect a presidential candidate for the 2014 race.

"We are structuring our party at grassroots level in order to prepare for the convention where we are looking forward to elect a presidential candidate for 2014 general elections and a national executive committee of the party," Sam said.

He said Malawi needs an "overhaul" in order to change the country's political landscape.

"Jus t l ike a car engine, Malawi's politics needs an overhaul in order to field new blood that will offer new ideas to move the country forward. If you look at the current crop of politicians, most of them are recycled ones who have nothing new to put forward for the benefit of Malawians," he said.

During 2004 general elections, PPM supported Mgwirizano Coalition in which the party provided a running mate the late Aleke Banda to the coalition torch bearer Gwanda Chakuamba.

In 2009, the party supported the late president Bingu wa Mutharika.

Asked about the capacity PPM has for it to win the confidence of the people to rule this country come 2014, Sam said:

" In 2004, we suppor t e d Mgwirizano Coalition because we wanted change and avoid the number of pr es ident ial candidates. While in 2009, we supported the late president Bingu because his policies during his first term in office were in line with our party without knowing that he would change for worse."

"But now we are saying enough is enough. The current breed of politicians are self-seeking, hence see no need to put the welfare of poor people at heart. They should go for the sake of bright future of this country."

On his part, PPM Publicity Secretary Redson Munlo said dwindling standards of living, soaring unemployment rate and poverty were some of the challenges that are currently affecting Malawians hence the need to field their own presidential candidate.

"We want to field in a president who has a human heart and respect for the rule of law. We don't want cheap politics that deceive people and use them as mere money spinners," Munlo said.