Morocco's administrative court has issued a final ruling cancelling the election of Al-Kabir Khoshkhan as a member of the National Press Council, representing professional journalists. The decision, dated September 30, 2026, was made in response to a complaint filed by journalist Amin Al-Khayari. The court's ruling stated that Khoshkhan's election was invalid, along with all its legal consequences.
The complaint was filed against the results of the elections for representatives of professional journalists, which took place on September 15, 2026. The temporary committee responsible for managing the council's affairs announced the final results on the following day. Khoshkhan had secured 437 votes, placing him fourth among the seven winners in this category.
The court's decision identified the parties involved in the dispute as Amin Al-Khayari, Al-Kabir Khoshkhan, Mostafa Siyaj, and the temporary committee in charge of managing the National Press Council, led by its chairman. This ruling comes just days after the official results were announced, which saw Hanan Rahab win with 703 votes, followed by Abdullah Al-Baqali with 481 votes, and Abdelhak Al-Adimi with 455 votes.
The elections saw a turnout of 1,681 voters out of 3,421 registered, representing a participation rate of 49.14%. Amin Al-Khayari, who ranked high among non-winning candidates, based his complaint on conditions for candidacy, professional practice, and press cards. The court's decision to cancel Khoshkhan's membership may lead to a rearrangement of seats or the necessary legal procedures to complete the council's composition.
As president of the Moroccan National Press Union, Khoshkhan's removal has significant implications for the council's structure. The National Press Council completed the election of its structures on September 21, 2026, with Moukhtar Lghaoui elected as president and Hanan Rahab as his deputy. Some members withdrew in protest over the voting method, and the new ruling may reopen the consideration of the final composition of journalist representatives within the council.
The court's decision may have far-reaching consequences for the council's ability to self-regulate the profession. With Khoshkhan's membership cancelled, the council may need to revisit its composition and ensure that the necessary procedures are followed. The case has highlighted the importance of transparent and fair elections in the country's journalistic community.
The implications of this ruling will be closely watched by the journalistic community in Morocco and beyond. The National Press Council plays a crucial role in regulating the profession, and its composition is of great importance. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the council will respond to the court's decision and what steps will be taken to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Key points
- The Moroccan administrative court has cancelled the election of Al-Kabir Khoshkhan to the National Press Council due to irregularities in the voting process.
- The decision may lead to a rearrangement of seats or the necessary legal procedures to complete the council's composition.
- The case has highlighted the importance of transparent and fair elections in the country's journalistic community.
