Morocco's commission for accreditation has validated 56 entities to observe the country's legislative elections on September 23. These entities include 26 national associations and 30 international organizations, which will deploy a total of 3,006 observers across the country. The presence of these observers aims to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
The Assembly Parliamentary Council of Europe has sent a delegation of 20 members, led by Elisabetta Gardini, to observe the elections. The delegation will be present in Morocco from September 21 to 24 and will meet with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior and the National Human Rights Council. The team will also be accompanied by a legal expert from the Venice Commission.
The Arab League is represented by a mission led by Ambassador Hussein Al-Hindaoui, who will publish a preliminary statement before submitting a final report to the organization's Secretary-General. The mission will engage with key players in the electoral process and assess the overall conduct of the elections.
The International Republican Institute (IRI), a US-based organization promoting democracy, will have a significant presence in Morocco's southern provinces, specifically in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra. The IRI plans to publish a preliminary statement and a detailed evaluation report on the elections. This deployment is seen as strategic, given the upcoming review of the UN mission's mandate in the Sahara by the Security Council on October 31.
The IRI's presence in the southern provinces is not coincidental, as the participation of these regions in the electoral process is often cited in international debates on the territory's status. The observers will monitor all phases of the electoral process, consult with political parties and civil society, and evaluate the quality of the procedure and its implementation mechanisms.
A national collective of associations will deploy 1,452 observers, supported by five regional coordinators and 48 provincial coordinators. However, the ratio of observers to polling stations is relatively modest, limiting the observation to a sample rather than comprehensive coverage of the elections.
The various observer missions will provide an independent assessment of the electoral process, which is crucial for Morocco's democratic development. Their reports will likely provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral process and inform future reforms.
Key points
- A total of 3,006 observers from 56 entities, including 30 international organizations, will monitor Morocco's legislative elections on September 23.
- The International Republican Institute has deployed observers specifically to the southern provinces of Morocco, a region with significant political and strategic importance.
- The observer missions will evaluate the quality of the electoral procedure, consult with stakeholders, and provide recommendations for future improvements.
