Diasporans must be allowed to vote

ZIMBABWEANS in the diaspora are being urged to unite and use their economic influence back home to encourage their relatives to participate in electoral processes as the nation gears for the 2023 general elections.

A campaign dubbed Home/Kumusha/Ekhaya Vote Connect was launched by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe) in partnership with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) on September 15, 2021, to assist diasporans vote back home.

The campaign aims to mobilise three million Zimbabweans in the diaspora to demand their right to vote and influence their families to participate in democratic and electoral processes.

In addition, the campaign will also facilitate flow of accurate and verified information to demystify any myths or threats of violence and intimidation that might discourage their relatives back home from participating in elections.

Speakers at the launch included Deutsch Connect in Germany founder and chief executive officer Kumbirai Chipadza, Human Rights Watch Southern Africa director in the United Kingdom Dewa Mavhinga, South Africabased International Cross-Boarder Traders Association president Dennis Juru, United States-based Rose Gift Foundation transplant surgeon Praise Matemavi, South African human rights activist Nobuhle Ajiti, Zimbabwe Diaspora Voices executive director Florence Madzivire, who is based in the US, and Gabriel Shumba, Zimbabwe Exiles Forum chairperson, who resides in South Africa.

The insightful discussions shed light on existing provision for a postal vote which is currently limited to diplomatic staff and their spouses and must be expanded to benefit every Zimbabwean in the diaspora.

There need for the diaspora to stand as a united front and encourage each other not only to register to vote but join political processes was also emphasised as part of the strides towards lobbying and advocacy for full enjoyment of their rights as the 11th province of Zimbabwe.’

All the speakers concurred that there was need to create forums to discuss issues on elections using social media and family platforms. They also spoke on the need to take the conversation international to gain traction in international bodies.

Diasporans were also urged to give accurate information to their families around elections so as to guard against any intimidation, lies and threats of violence which may be used as a tool to instil voter apathy.

The forums will also ensure that families are confident of their security and rights as they participate in electoral processes.