The Moroccan Interior Ministry has sent a circular to governors, walis, and other local authorities regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections on September 23, 2026. The circular emphasizes the need to deliver copies of voting and counting documents to representatives of nomination lists. According to the Law 27.11 regulating the House of Representatives, these representatives have the right to monitor voting, counting, and tallying operations.
The law grants representatives of nomination lists the right to attend the work of central offices and statistical committees at the level of provinces, prefectures, and municipalities. They also have the right to request that voting office documents include all their observations. The ministry has stressed that the copies of documents delivered to these representatives have the same legal weight as the originals.
The circular instructs heads of voting offices and central offices to prepare copies of documents that match the originals and deliver them to representatives of nomination lists immediately. This must be done in the presence of witnesses and after numbering and signing each copy. The ministry has warned that failure to deliver these documents may result in penalties.
According to the Law 27.11, refusing to deliver a copy of the document to representatives of nomination lists is punishable by imprisonment from six months to one year and a fine of 10,000 to 50,000 dirhams. This penalty applies to heads of voting offices who refuse to deliver copies of documents to representatives of nomination lists that were present during the preparation of the documents.
The law also allows candidates to access documents related to the election at the premises of local administrative authorities or provincial, prefectural, or municipal offices. They have the right to examine these documents, including voting office documents and central office documents, for a period of eight days during official working hours.
Candidates also have the right to challenge the election, access voting documents, and obtain a copy of these documents from the premises of local administrative authorities or provincial, prefectural, or municipal offices within eight days during official working hours. This right is granted after they have submitted a petition challenging the election.
The Interior Ministry's circular aims to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process by granting representatives of nomination lists access to essential documents. This move is expected to promote confidence in the electoral process and ensure that all stakeholders have access to necessary information.
Key points
- The Moroccan Interior Ministry has emphasized the importance of delivering copies of voting and counting documents to representatives of nomination lists.
- Failure to deliver these documents may result in penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
- The law grants candidates the right to access and challenge election documents within a specified timeframe.
