ZDVI Demands Cancellation of Constitutional Amendment Hearings Over Exclusion Concerns

Perth, Australia -The Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative (ZDVI), a prominent advocacy group representing Zimbabweans living abroad, has issued a demand for the immediate cancellation and rescheduling of public hearings regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 seeking to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's stay in power, alleging the process is designed to stifle public debate.

Based in Perth, Australia, the ZDVI characterised the current parliamentary schedule as a logistical failure that effectively silences millions of citizens contributing to the national economy from abroad.

The organisation’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Padmore Kufa, argued that the Parliament of Zimbabwe has failed to provide digital platforms or online consultations, which are essential for including the global diaspora in the legislative process.

The group says the absence of live, digital meetings prevents overseas citizens from directly challenging a bill that could have profound implications for the country's governance.

"Parliament is choking public debate," the organization stated in its media release, noting that the exclusion of the diaspora contradicts the government's stated commitment to inclusivity.

"We demand live, digital meetings to ensure these citizens can challenge the bill directly," Kufa said.

The criticism extends beyond the diaspora to the treatment of domestic rural voters.

The Initiative highlighted that the current hearing schedule provides far too few venues, forcing rural inhabitants to travel impossible distances to participate in the democratic process.

The group maintains that a legitimate consultative process requires at least one venue for every small constituency and a significantly higher density of meeting points across rural provinces to ensure that geographic location does not become a barrier to constitutional participation.

"If the government continues to exclude its people, the President's pledge to 'leave no one behind' is nothing more than empty politics," the group stated, calling on the executive branch to intervene.

"As a self-described 'listening President' he must intervene now to stop an arm of his government from sabotaging public participation," ZDVI said.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill follows a series of controversial changes to Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution.

Previous amendments, such as Amendment Number 2, granted the President increased powers over the appointment of judges and eliminated the running mate clause for vice presidents. 

These moves were met with significant resistance from legal experts and opposition figures who argued they undermined the separation of powers.

The Diaspora Vote Initiative contends that the current bill should not be handled through rushed, back-room tactics, instead it should be subjected to a national referendum.

While the advocacy group confirmed it is preparing a formal written submission, it said  the law requires transparent, live discussions with all Zimbabweans, regardless of their current place of residence.

The group's leadership warned that if the current schedule is not replaced with a fair and inclusive plan, the resulting legislation will lack the necessary mandate from the people it intends to govern.

The Zimbabwean government has historically faced pressure regarding the diaspora vote, a right that has been a point of contention in several election cycles.

While the 2013 Constitution theoretically allows all citizens to vote, practical and legislative hurdles have prevented those outside the country from casting ballots unless they return to Zimbabwe to register and vote in person.

"The planned meetings must be cancelled, and a new schedule drawn to ensure that there is at least one venue for smaller constituencies, and more for the rural areas," the group asserted in its closing demand.