Zimbabwe Diaspora Group Seeks Legal Route to Secure Voting Rights Ahead of 2028 Polls

A Zimbabwean diaspora advocacy group has begun mobilising funds to pursue legal action aimed at expanding voting rights for citizens living outside the country ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The group, operating under the banner of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative, says it plans to challenge existing electoral laws that limit participation in national elections to citizens resident in Zimbabwe or those on official government assignments abroad.

Under current electoral provisions, only a narrow category of Zimbabweans , mainly diplomats and state officials stationed overseas, are permitted to vote outside the country. Millions of Zimbabweans living and working abroad remain excluded from the process, despite their economic contributions through remittances.

Diaspora activists argue that this arrangement violates the principle of equal citizenship and undermines democratic participation. According to the group, legal action is now being considered after years of unfulfilled political commitments and stalled policy discussions on diaspora voting.

The issue has been the subject of debate for more than a decade. In 2018, government officials publicly acknowledged the need to study how other countries implement external voting systems, though no legislative changes followed. Subsequent elections were conducted without provisions for broad-based diaspora participation.

Previous court challenges seeking to compel the state to introduce external voting were dismissed, with the courts ruling that the existing legal framework does not obligate authorities to facilitate voting from abroad. Despite this, diaspora groups say renewed legal pressure remains necessary as the 2028 elections approach.

To support the proposed court case, as well as advocacy and legislative engagement efforts, the initiative has launched a public fundraising drive targeting Zimbabweans and supporters of electoral reform worldwide.

The Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative describes itself as a non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation advocating for the constitutional rights of citizens living outside the country. It says it is exploring partnerships with legal experts, legislators and civil society organisations as part of a broader push for electoral reform.

Zimbabwe has one of the largest diaspora populations in Southern Africa, with millions residing in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries. Calls for diaspora voting rights continue to feature prominently in debates on electoral credibility, inclusion and democratic reform.