Political parties have been advised to dwell on issue-based campaign ahead of the fresh president poll this July.

While discouraging politics of castigation a Chancellor College based political expert, Enerst Thindwa has said there is need for politicians to preach and sound notions of national development.

With this, Thindwa has advised political parties to formulate plans that meet the issues they cite in their manifestos.

Thindwa noted that the traditional politics of castigation is deterring the country from developing.

In a related development, the political analyst has backed former president Bakili Muluzi for actively participating in politics but has advised him to act as a democrat.

This follows remarks by Vice president Saulosi Chilima who is also leader for UTM that Muluzi allegedly sent people to intimidate him on political grounds.

While noting the right of the former president to take part in politics, Thindwa has advised Muluzi to refrain from what he terms as ‘old fashioned politics’ which is characterised by intimidation and castigation.