Zimbos must join hands and fight for diaspora vote

AS part of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative, parliamentarians, Zimbabweans in the diaspora, businesses working with Zimbabweans based in the diaspora, families of individuals living in the diaspora, and civic society organisations are invited to discuss the need to legislate the diaspora vote.

It would be great to hear from African leaders and individuals who have implemented diaspora votes in their countries.

Since its start in March 2022, the Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative has been lobbying for the diaspora vote to be legislated.

A letter was sent to President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressing appreciation for his desire for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to participate vote in 2023, as well as a petition that was sent to the President and Parliament of Zimbabwe.

Nonetheless, the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry forgot to include the provisions for the diaspora vote in the Electoral Amendment Bill, which is being debated in Parliament.

In response to the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry’s omission of amendments to enable diaspora voting, the Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative has made its submission to the secretariat of the parliamentary committee that is tasked with receiving suggestions for improving the Bill, and we hope that our submissions will be considered.

Diaspora-based Zimbabweans play a significant role in the development of the country as Mnangagwa has acknowledged.

He has also made interesting points such as the importance of involving all Zimbabweans in national activities, and the importance of Zimbabweans in developing the country.

During an interview with the Sunday Mail on March 20, 2022, Mnangagwa described diasporabased citizens as “equal to, just as important and just as deserving”.

Item 1(2) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Zimbabwe specifically states that the electoral law may prescribe additional residential requirements to ensure that voters are registered on the most appropriate voters roll, but any such requirements must be consistent with this Constitution, in particular with section 67.

Padmore Kufa Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative spokesperson