TellZim Reporter
A Zimbabwean opposition party, The African Democrats have said that the next government of Zimbabwe likely to be ushered in by the 2023 harmonized elections will not be legitimate if it excludes the input of Zimbabwean nationals in the diaspora through casting their ballots.
The opposition party’s leader Marco Machona said there was need for the current government to allow exiled Zimbabweans their right to vote and participate in electoral process so that the government is reflective of the will of all people.
“We have almost five million Zimbabweans outside the country who over the past three to four elections have not fully participated in elections. These people perform no other meaningful role other than remittances of money from diaspora.
“If Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) cannot cater for such a huge number of people in respect of 2023 elections, then the polls can’t be legitimate because of the numbers which are disenfranchised. If five million people are registered to vote, then we have another similar figure not voting it translates into half a number representing the other half and that makes no sense.
“If ZEC cannot devise means for those Diasporans to vote, then we have no other option than embarking on a mock election exercise on digital platforms just to demonstrate to them what is needed and get an appreciation of how they can make use of ICTs to make it possible for all to vote.
“The African Democrats given such a scenario, will argue that these upcoming elections are just ceremonial as they do not cater for everyone’s interests. The Second Dispensation should address the issue of Diaspora vote while ZEC also do the same to that effect,” said Machona.
He also call upon for traditional leaders to be recused from partisan politics so that they freely exercise their duties without bias.
“As it stands right now, as Zimbabwe we seem to have collapsed the traditional system of governance that would have seen traditional powers shifting their allegiance towards the Presidency and that office which has led them to be docile and diverting from their mandate to preside over developmental issues. Traditional leaders are no longer representing people as the total shift has seen them being used for the benefit of one office (presidency).
“We are slowly shifting towards a monarchy where the presidency now possess absolute powers. Traditional leaders have benefited from elevated powers which had negatively impacted on democracy before, during and after elections. Our system of governance is collapsed as Chiefs no longer serve interests of their subjects,” said Machona.
He called for the actual decentralization of power.
