About
Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative
ZDVI
A voluntary grouping of Zimbabweans in the diaspora advocating for full electoral inclusion and participation in national governance.
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative (ZDVI) is a voluntary grouping of Zimbabweans living abroad concerned with the lack of provision arrangements that allow them to vote from their domiciled countries in elections that take place in Zimbabwe, and their exclusion from governance issues relating to their country. Currently, only diplomats and government employees on external missions can vote, despite the constitution granting voting rights to all Zimbabweans.
The ZDVI came into being in 2022, and registered as a Community Group in Australia under Australian Business Number 14608339944. It hopes to register in other countries in due course.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To advocate for legislative, policy, and administrative reforms that enable Zimbabwean citizens living abroad to vote from their countries of residence, and to mobilise collective action in defence of constitutional rights.
Our Vision
A democratic Zimbabwe where all citizens—regardless of location—fully participate in electoral processes and national governance.
The objectives of the organisation as stated in its articles of association are:
- a)To Initiate Dialogue with the Office of the President of Zimbabwe to remind the Office about the Presidential commitment to the Diaspora Vote made on the side lines of the United Nations General Conference in 2018;
- b)To Appeal to the Parliament of Zimbabwe to make legislative changes that allow Zimbabwean citizens living abroad to cast their vote from their domiciled countries;
- c)To create awareness among Zimbabweans living outside Zimbabwe on the need for the fulfilment of their constitutional right to vote, and join hands in lobbying for the right of citizens living outside Zimbabwe to vote;
- d)To work with all other initiatives working to achieve the diaspora vote for Zimbabweans living abroad;
- e)To create awareness among Zimbabweans living in Zimbabwe on how the absence of the Diaspora Vote takes away the voting rights of their family members and friends living abroad;
- f)To appeal to businesses benefiting from Diaspora remittances to support the call by the citizens abroad who bankroll their businesses;
- g)To appeal to regional, continental and international organisations which Zimbabwe is affiliated to, to encourage Zimbabwean authorities to implement the Diaspora vote for Zimbabwean citizens living abroad;
- h)To mobilize resources to sustain the work of the Diaspora Vote lobby;
- i)To use the media as a tool to communicate the diaspora vote message;
ZDVI invites all Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora to actively support all efforts to lobby for the Diaspora Vote to ensure fulfilment of the democratic right to vote. The more the merrier. Our collective efforts will deliver the desired results.