Zimbabweans abroad barred from voting in countries they reside in 2018 election

Several million Zimbabeans have fled to neighbouring South Africa. Photo Credit: AFP

The electoral commission of Zimbabwe has announced that Zimbabweans abroad will not be allowed to vote in the countries where they live in general elections due in 2018.

That means all Zimbabweans in the diaspora must return home to register and get the chance to vote.

The country’s laws currently limits votes to government service officials abroad via postal.

Zimbabwe had its constitution amended in 2013 to gives citizens in the diaspora the opportunity to vote, but the new laws are yet to be enforced.

The announcement by the electoral commission has been met by criticisms especially from opposition parties who consider this an attempt to disenfranchise millions of Zimbabweans. 

President Robert Mugabe who has been leading the country since 1980 is reported to have declared intention to run again in 2018.

Source: Africafeeds.com