Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna has urged Zimbabweans to turn out in large numbers for Wednesday’s national election and vote for their preferred candidate.
The chief, who is based in the United Kingdom and has been campaigning for a Diaspora Vote for Zimbabweans living abroad, said he cannot overstate the importance of voting and exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“These elections are more important than all other elections we have had before,” Chief Ndiweni said.
Chief Ndiweni acknowledged that many Zimbabweans are dissatisfied with the levels of misgovernance they are experiencing, but said that the only way to change things is to vote.
“I know that you are fatigued and things are not going well,” he said. “But if you want to see a better future for Zimbabwe, you have to vote. Don’t give up hope.”
Chief Ndiweni also encouraged voters to stay within the vicinity of the polling station after voting to ensure that their votes are counted accurately.
“After voting, stay close to the polling station to defend your vote. Don’t leave your vote alone otherwise it can be lost. Stay close until the counting has been done then you can know who defeated who,” said the chief. “The phrases ‘if we had done this’ are very painful after a moment has passed. So what we can all do at this moment is vote.”
Chief Ndiweni argued that people who want better candidates or an improved system of governance where they would be heard, had to vote. He added that not voting meant they would be disenfranchised by the current authoritarian system in place. “If you don’t vote, they have won, Vote for your choice,” Chief Ndiweni summed.
