AParty is Fighting for the Expat Vote

To those who have been following the progress of the AParty, South Africa's newest and most progressive political party, we are excited to bring you an update on our fight to reinstate the voting rights of our country's 2 million+ expatriate citizens. Mr A, chairman and leader of the AParty, says "I need Expat support to win the battle for their voting rights."

To those unfamiliar with our intentions, Anthony Penderis, founder of the AParty and nicknamed Mr A, intends to challenge the government in the Constitutional Court on the issue of voting rights for South Africans working, studying or travelling abroad.

"They were robbed of their voting right by the Electoral Laws Amendment Act passed through Parliament just before the 2004 election. Unfortunately our day in court will cost around R200,000 (U$20,000). Contributions from anyone who feels strong about this will be greatly appreciated and can be done through my website at www.aparty.org.za," says Mr A. We need your contributions to take this battle as far as it must go to win back your rights.

"We have completed the first round with a Senior Advocate (SC) experienced in political matters, who prepared a 100-page opinion for us on the eligibility of voting rights for South Africans working, travelling or studying abroad. He is now busy drafting the application with supporting affidavits to be delivered to the Constitutional Court. This is the only way to challenge the South African government on the issue of Expat voting rights.

"South Africans abroad could still vote during the 1994-election, which saw Mandela elected as president, as well as during the 1999-elections. To summarily rob people of their voting rights while they try to carve out a living in foreign countries is unfair and underhanded. Most of them were either forced out of their jobs in South Africa by affirmative action or felt threatened by the worsening crime situation. I worked as an expat myself for six years and understand their frustrations. Most of them will return if local employment conditions improve and the crime rate goes down," says Mr A.

After the Constitutional Court has studied the application by the AParty, the Court will then request replies from parties which they consider should have a say in the matter. Respondents could include the President, the head of Independent Electoral Commission and one or more ministers in the Cabinet. When the respondents' replies have been studied by the Court, they issue a reply to the AParty's legal team. The team then prepares their Heads of Argument for one day's hearing in court where the matter will be argued.

An estimated 2 million South Africans are abroad at any given time, either on vacation, working, studying, taking part in sport events or travelling on business.

"The AParty aims to turn voter apathy around in South Africa and targets the 4 million South Africans who stopped voting plus a further 10 million plus between the ages of 18 and 35 who have never voted. If we can get a significant percentage of these two groups back at the polls, we will make an impact," says Mr A.

The AParty's Manifesto states that it builds forth on the legacy of President Mandela who cherished 'the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities'.

The party believes in transparent governance with limited powers bound by a higher set of rules contained in the South African Constitution. Through this the basics of a modern democracy can be guaranteed which includes an independent judiciary, a free press and life's essentials such as health care, education, housing and job opportunities for all.

Only with these basics in place can a thriving, prosperous nation be possible to unleash the creativity of its peoples and the full economic potential of the country for the benefit of the entire Southern African continent. Please show your support by registering and donating at our website, www.aparty.org.za.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr A (Anthony Penderis)



Please visit the AParty website, www.aparty.org.za, to find out more about our policies and beliefs, and to register and donate to show your support. Also visit Mr A on his Facebook profile.