The inalienable Zim diapora vote

Firstly I wish to congratulate all Zimbabweans on the occasion of the peaceful outcome of the recent constitutional referendum. However now that we've got that out of the way and are now preparing for an election I wish to bring up another subject, a very pertinent related subject but one that if left alone is likely to go unnoticed.
 
Since the Zimbabwean political crisis became evident particularly via the massive population migrations beyond our borders the subject of the Diaspora vote has cropped up from time to time. In particular Zanu-PF has stuck to its guns to never allow such a vote to ever take place. Although they cite a number of reasons it's is difficult to hide from the logic that clearly says that, the migrations have occurred primarily due to Zanu-PF misrule and so it figures that for the most part, most people that have emigrated are unlikely to vote for Zanu-PF.  The Diaspora is a very significant, tangible and impossible to conceal ("rine manyanga / okulempodo") piece of evidence of Zanu-PF's thirty two years of well documented spectacular failure.
 
In fact in the midst of the current SADC backed process to restore the country to a healthy state of democracy, it remains one of the elephants in the room that almost everyone from politician, ordinary citizen and negotiator alike would rather didn't exist. It's an issue that in spite sticking out like ten sore thumbs and fingers is sadly likely to be ignored ultimately. A number of reasons have been proffered as to why the Diaspora vote could not possibly occur chief among them, cost and to a lesser extent a more recently developed fear of Zanu-PF rigging among some of the opposition groups. I will begin by addressing the issue of the phobia of rigging and then delve into the cost argument.
 
While it is conceivable that rigging could take place in Diaspora locations, the question I would like to pose is just how much greater the chances are of this occurring compared to any other location inside Zimbabwe, particularly  this age of technological advancement.  Is Zimbabwe itself not the exact same place where we've had massive problems around elections in the past? Is it not the same location where thousands of Zimbabweans have fled over the last few years landing up as economic and political refugees in neighboring states and many other countries further afield including the UK? Is it really likely to be a bigger problem than in the closed police and army barracks or so called no-go areas in rural Zimbabwe? In fact if you think of it most unfortunately, the opposition parties buying into this argument go against their claimed fight for democracy. It's a lame excuse to say the least.
 
I will now tackle the question of cost particularly as written about by someone I know and respect a few days ago. In his article the writer attempted to link the Diaspora vote to the notion that it had to be deserved or earned and that if The Zimbabwean Diaspora really wanted it, they ought to be prepared to pay for it due to its perceived exorbitant cost. After becoming aware of his views I took him on, and so would like to place in the public domain some of the issues I highlighted to him on a social network where we discussed his article.
 
My basic challenge to him and this whole idea is premised on the fact that the right to citizenship and therefore the associated right to vote is inalienable. It's not something that you ever earn. You are simply born in a specific location on earth and that becomes your location of origin or citizenship. No act of super patriotism is ever required for you to hold or retain such a status, neither can the most revolting anti social human behavior lead to a denial of the same. The mere fact that you have decided to relocate and reside elsewhere changes absolutely nothing, your place of origin remains just that.
 
The second aspect to this argument that I would want to debunk is that it's costly to allow Diasporas to vote. Who has actually done the costing and what are these astronomical numbers? How much more expensive is it to man a single polling station at the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria compared to locations in Uzumba - Marambapfungwe, Dendele or Sanzukwi? We are talking of one polling station in Pretoria at the embassy covering the entire Diaspora population in all the different corners of South Africa allowing citizens to participate in a single election, the presidential election. How much more difficult would it be to man a single polling station in London for all the Zimbabwean residents of the UK? Aren't these locations where the use of technology just might lend itself to a reduction of the cost overall?
 
The writer also suggested that perhaps Diasporas ought to consider the possibility that they pay for such an exercise. I put it to him as much as I do now to anyone else harboring the same thoughts that, since when have citizens purchased inalienable rights? Who else apart from the state is called upon to pay for such services? Exactly how do we differentiate between someone working as s domestic or security guard in Johannesburg and a subsistence farmer in Dete who does not pay a cent? What principle do we apply? The fact of the matter is that there isn't such a principle.
Indeed Diasporas may be denied the right to vote but let us at least be honest about the reasons and these reasons are nothing but political.
 
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Lovemore Fuyane is a Zimbabwean who resides in South Africa