Government Plans To Engage Diaspora in 2021 Elections

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chalwe Lombe says his ministry is considering engaging the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) over the possibility of allowing Zambians living in the diaspora to vote in next year’s elections. 

Speaking during the African Missions virtual meeting on diaspora policy, Ambassador Lombe observed that the lack of voting among Zambians abroad was a problem, particularly during a time of heightened travel restrictions when many cannot return to Zambia to cast their votes. 

Mr Lombe encouraged Zambian embassies to write proposals to the ministry of foreign affairs to enable them to set up a platform for diaspora voting. 

The ambassador emphasised the importance of these Zambian missions in voting from abroad and urged staff to familiarise themselves with diaspora policy in order to effectively coordinate expatriate communities.