Morocco's Public Prosecutor's Office recorded 93 electoral complaints between August 21 and September 15 ahead of the 2026 legislative elections. This figure marks a decline from the 229 complaints recorded during the same period in the 2021 legislative elections, according to data from the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The number of complaints fell by about 59% between the two electoral periods.
The 2026 election involves 395 seats, with 27 political parties participating in the nationwide legislative contest. Moroccans are heading to the polls to elect members of the House of Representatives. The Public Prosecutor's Office said the complaints registered this year covered 54 criminal acts, while 39 complaints concerned acts that did not have a criminal nature.
Digital violations feature prominently among the complaints, with several cases involving alleged violations committed through social media, open broadcasting systems, and other computer systems. The cases included the publication or distribution of false information, allegations, or fabricated documents, including through artificial intelligence tools and online platforms.
The complaints also covered the distribution of manipulated audio or visual content featuring individuals without their consent, where the purpose was to infringe on privacy or cause defamation. The Public Prosecutor's Office recorded 22 complaints involving acts committed through social networks, open broadcasting systems, and computer systems between August 31 and September 16.
The authorities linked the emergence of these cases to changes in Morocco's electoral legislation. Amendments introduced through Organic Law No. 53.25 and Law No. 55.25 expanded the range of electoral practices subject to criminal penalties, including certain practices carried out in the digital space.
Complaints also included cases involving alleged attempts to influence voters through gifts, donations, promises, or administrative benefits. Seven complaints concerned the provision of gifts, donations, promises, or administrative benefits to local authorities or groups of citizens with the aim of influencing voting behavior.
The Public Prosecutor's Office had previously instructed prosecutors across the country to strengthen monitoring of the electoral process and coordinate with security teams responsible for election-related cases. Morocco introduced additional rules governing electoral campaigning and prohibited practices, restricting attempts to influence voters through gifts, donations, violence, intimidation, or threats.
Key points
- The number of electoral complaints in Morocco decreased by 59% compared to the 2021 legislative elections.
- Digital violations, including the spread of false information, feature prominently among the complaints.
- Morocco's electoral legislation was amended to expand the range of electoral practices subject to criminal penalties.
