Zimbabweans In The Diaspora Ready To Vote
Keoagile Bonang | Monday June 11, 2018 13:31
The polls, scheduled for July 30, 2018 will be the first election in the post-Robert Mugabe era following his ouster in a military-assisted soft coup last November.
It will also be a test for the Emmerson Mnangagwa-led administration to deliver a free, fair and credible election that is without violence unlike in the past when the polls were mired in mayhem.
Thabani Moyo, 33, stated that he is eagerly awaiting the polls. He added that he registered in Bulawayo, but is doubtful that the elections will be free and fair. Moyo said that since ZANU-PF is still ruling, it would do everything in its power to rig the elections. Moyo stated that what has changed in Zimbabwe is just the administration, but their approach is still the same as in past administrations.
However, Tapiwa Machokoto, 34, differed with Moyo’s assertions. Machokoto, who also registered in Bulawayo, said the environment has totally changed and expects the elections to be free and fair. The transporter added that the current administration is peaceful as compared to the Mugabe regime.
Another Zimbabwean, Beto Musasa, 36, acknowledged efforts made by Mnangagwa to hold free and fair elections. Musasa said opening up the electoral process to international observers and other stakeholders for scrutiny is a sign that Mnangagwa wants to hold credible elections. He said he registered to vote in Harare. Ever since he became eligible to vote, he said, he had never missed the opportunity to practice his constitutional right of voting because he always had hope that one day Zimbabwe will be free.
Musasa’s wife Prudence said she is going to take advantage of the extended voter registration to register so that she too can cast her vote. Prudence also expects the elections to be free and fair.
Onward Mudziwedare spoke confidently that the elections would be free and fair. The 33-year-old Mudziwedare stated that he registered and is going to vote at Masvingo Province.
Livingstone Mlala said he is registered and is going to vote at Lupane.
He stated that this is the only time for them as Zimbabweans to correct past mistakes and be able to go back to their country freely, and stop bothering Batswana. He said the elections would be free and fair looking at the fact that ever since last year things have changed, and there is peace and free movement in the country.