The notion that millions of Zimbabweans living in foreign lands must be awarded their right to vote during the 2018 general elections has stirred debate with some people saying the notion is spot-on, while others said it is a misplaced right.
The Diaspora Vote phenomenon took center during the ongoing electoral reforms which are being spearheaded by Election Resource Center (ERC) and facilitated by the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs.
The Diasporans have been agitating for inclusion in the electoral processes but the country’s election body Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) saaid it would require in excess of US$281 million to prepare for the 2018 elections if the Diaspora vote was to be included.
Members of the ruling party Zanu PF are skeptical of the diaspora vote as they accuse those living outside the country’s borders of “ditching” the country at a time when they were needed.
During the third day of deliberations on electoral reforms in Mutoko, Zanu PF supporters came down strongly against the issue of diaspora vote, which opposition party members were lobbying for.
There was near blows as both set of supporters failed to agree and understand each other on the way forward with regards to diaspora votes.
It had to take the intervention of Jessie Majome, who chairs the committee to bring the house to order after a 45 minute halt .
A Mutoko business man, Charles Mangwiro registered his displeasure at the prospect of diasporians casting their votes.
He said “Those people do not deserve to be voting. They left the country on their own terms, they were never chased away and they abandoned us when we should have joined hands to build this nation. So for that, I say they should never be allowed the right to vote,”
Another self-proclaimed staunch Zanu PF supporter added that “people living abroad have no right to vote because they do not know the dynamics of the country. They are not aware of the struggles faced on a daily basis, so why should we allow them to vote for a leader whom they do not even relate to,”
As if that was not enough, a cross border trader who claims to be patriotic said the country has been doing well without those in the diaspora and they contribute nothing to the country’s economy.
However, unbeknown to him, is that government relies heavily on the diaspora remittances which contribute immensely to the countries fiscus.
Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Mutoko South, David Chapfika weighed in saying diasporians should not vote because they are living outside the country’s borders, but said if anything, they should come back home and vote in the country.
“We are not calling for total abolishment of the diaspora vote, but how can someone living outside the country have a voice on the political structures which they are not familiar with.
“If they want vote, they should come back home and vote here, they should connect with the people and have a full understanding of how the situation in the country is,” Chapfika said.
However, the opposition parties, fronted by the MDC-T said depriving people living abroad the right to vote was a violation of human rights as the constitution clearly states that every Zimbabwean has the right to vote, as long as they are registered to participate in the plebiscites.
An MDC-T youth said, “We call upon Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to start considering the diaspora vote as it is a vital cog in the election. Those people should be allowed to cast their votes from wherever they are,”
Another MDC-T youth added that poor living conditions caused by the President Mugabe led ruling party forced people to seek greener pastures abroad hence it is not their fault that they are living in other countries. She reiterated that ZEC should see to it that come 2018, reforms must have been implemented.
The electoral reforms hearings came into being after ERC petitioned Parliament to do an outreach on how ZEC can reform to pave way for a level playing field as the country heads for the 2018 elections.
