International observers have praised the high turnout of voters in Morocco's legislative elections, which took place on Wednesday, September 23. According to Rachelle Givera, head of the Office for the Defense of Human Rights in El Salvador, the voting atmosphere in Laayoune was a "true civic celebration." Givera expressed her admiration for the significant turnout of voters, particularly the strong participation of women.
Givera stated that she arrived at a polling station early in the morning, coinciding with its opening, and found a number of voters already waiting to cast their ballots. The voting process began on schedule, and the observers noted that the voters were eager to participate in the democratic process. The Moroccan authorities had set up 273 polling stations and 34 central offices in Laayoune to facilitate the voting process.
Fatima Lemir, a French observer, also expressed her satisfaction with the strong civic participation in the elections. This was her second time monitoring elections in Morocco, having previously participated in the 2021 elections in Kelmim. Lemir noted that the presence of women, young people, seniors, and people with disabilities or limited mobility among the voters was particularly noteworthy.
A total of 3006 observers and monitors from 26 associations and non-governmental organizations, as well as 30 international organizations, were accredited to monitor the legislative elections. The observers were tasked with ensuring the integrity and transparency of the voting process. The Moroccan authorities had made significant efforts to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner.
In Laayoune, the voting process was characterized by a high level of organization and efficiency. The polling stations were well-equipped, and the voters were able to cast their ballots without any major issues. The observers noted that the voters were enthusiastic about participating in the democratic process and that the atmosphere was generally calm and peaceful.
The Moroccan government had made significant efforts to encourage voter participation, particularly among young people and women. The authorities had also taken steps to ensure that people with disabilities were able to participate in the voting process. The observers noted that these efforts had been successful, with a high turnout of voters from all demographics.
The legislative elections in Morocco were widely seen as an important milestone in the country's democratic development. The elections were expected to determine the composition of the country's parliament and would have significant implications for the country's future. The international observers' positive assessment of the voting process was seen as a testament to the country's progress in consolidating its democracy.
Key points
- The international observers praised the high turnout of voters in Morocco's legislative elections, citing a strong participation from women and other demographics.
