Transparency Maroc and Democracy Reporting International released a joint statement on Morocco’s election legislation following a preliminary mission to the country. The report highlights several concerns regarding the consultation process for changing the election laws, emphasising that the current discussions are limited to government parties, excluding opposition, civil society, and the public. Given the tight timeline before the 2007 elections, the organisations express concern that legislative changes may occur too hastily without adequate public debate. While previous reforms in 2002 improved the quality of elections, they stress that further amendments are necessary to ensure compliance with international standards, particularly under Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The report offers key recommendations to strengthen Morocco’s electoral process. It calls for clearer criteria and procedures for election districting to ensure the equality of votes, which was not respected in the 2002 elections. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of prompt and detailed publication of results to foster transparency and confidence in the election process. The organisations also urge better regulation of media access and campaign financing, proposing clearer rules to prevent unfair advantages. Other recommendations include providing avenues for transparent election appeals, clarifying the status of non-partisan election observers, and allowing for international election observation to enhance credibility. These measures are intended to address existing weaknesses and improve the overall integrity of Morocco’s electoral system.