Zambians abroad should be allowed to vote-AVAP

The Anti-Voter Apathy (AVAP) project says the call by Zambians in the diaspora to be accorded an opportunity to vote during elections is genuine.

AVAP Executive Director Richwell Mulwani said in an interview with ZANIS that Zambians living abroad should not be disenfranchised because they are away from their home land for various reasons.

Mr. Mulwani said whether some Zambians abroad are serving the country in different portfolios or living abroad permanently, they were still attached to Zambia in one way or the other hence the need to be given a chance to take part in serious matters such as voting.

He said government should consider creating a platform for them to exercise their rights to vote.

Mr. Mulwani said Zambian Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to various countries the worldover should ensure that this development materialise and yield positive results.

He said Zambia should emulate countries such as Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique that are effectively according their people living in diaspora a chance to vote.

Zambians in USA requested Vice President Inonge Wina that they would like government to look into the issue of according them an opportunity to vote.

Mrs. Wina assured them that she would deliver their request for them to be voting during elections to cabinet for consideration.

This was when she addressed Zambians based in USA on the side-lines of the 59^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) in New York.