The Freedom Front Plus has decided to continue the fight, which it had started in 2004 against the regulations of the Electoral Act concerning South Africans living oversees, this week in the Constitutional Court.

Dr. Pieter Mulder, Leader of the FF Plus, says the Electoral Act discriminates unreasonably against South Africans living oversees. This has to be rectified before the elections which will, according to expectations, take place in April.

"In 1994 all South Africans were allowed to cast their votes irrespective of where they found themselves. That no longer applies. Although the regulations of the Electoral Act were amended upon the insistence of the FF Plus, the regulations are so strict that it remains nearly impossible for South Africans to cast their votes oversees. Other countries such as America and the Netherlands allow their citizens to vote wherever they are", Dr. Mulder says.

An urgent application will this week be submitted on behalf of Willem Richter to have the regulations declared unconstitutional. Willem is a 27 year old schoolteacher who is temporarily working in Surrey, Britain. He was previously a member of the Defence Force where he had undertaken peace operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for several months. According to the current regulations he, as well as the majority of South Africans living abroad, may not vote in this year's elections. The FF Plus will be submitting an urgent application on Richter's behalf to have the regulations declared unconstitutional.

"I wanted to travel, see the world and gain some experience. I want to return to South Africa at the end of the year because I love my country, its people and its weather. I have a duty to re-invest the knowledge which I have obtained abroad back into my country and make a contribution to make the future better for everyone", Richter said.

Statement issued by Freedom Front Plus leader, Dr Pieter Mulder, January 26 2009