Get involved in politics and get out and vote. That is the essence of the message given by King Mohammed VI to all Moroccans. He took the opportunity to talk about the upcoming elections on the 54th Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People.
Speaking nationwide, the King urged the government to remain neutral and not influence the outcome of the elections. He reminded those listening, that the essence of democracy is transparent elections. The government should enforce the laws during the election process and act on any infringement or violation. King Mohammed asked the political parties in Morocco to respect the will of the people and not to mar the upcoming elections or undermine the credibility of the political environment. He called on those involved not to take part in any suspicious dealings, uncommon associations or narrow minded calculations.
The Moroccan Parliament is made up of two houses, House of Representatives and House of Advisors. Representatives are elected directly while the Advisors are elected by two sets of electoral colleges. More than 15,500,000 people are eligible to vote in Morocco according to the Minister of the Interior. Voters will start going to the polls on August 25th. Voting will continue until the evening of September 7th.
King Mohammed told his people that by choosing their representatives for the next five years, they were determining their future and their children’s future. Morocco’s future was in their hands, too. He warned them that they could jeopardize their futures by not following their consciences or voting for people unworthy of their trust. Responsible citizenship includes taking care of their constitutional rights of free choice. He called on Moroccans to uphold the rule of the law by fighting vote buying and the use of deceit, forgery, treachery or the use of dirty money. His Majesty insisted that everyone must join forces to fight corruption, abuses of power and other practices that violate the law. Such practices will not be tolerated, no matter who breaks the law.
The Ministers of Interior and Justice told that 142 election related offences have been brought to their attention. These include vote purchasing, violence against voters, and use of office to influence elections among others. Mayor Omar el Bahraoui of Rabat was arrested in his home allegedly using his office to influence the elections. His trial has been postponed. The King mentioned that the judiciary must keep the elections free from all forms of corruption. He reminded all that the separation of powers must be respected and the law applied in all cases.
Morocco’s elections will be followed by local and international observers for the first time. Senator Frances Fitzgerald of the Irish Upper House led a delegation to Morocco. His group was invited by the Moroccan Advisory Council for Human Rights. They met with members of the government, political leaders and the civil society. The International Mission of Preliminary Assessment called for fair and neutral laws to implemented governing the election campaigns. Allowing observers access to the vote counting and publishing the results as soon as possible, are asked for by the Mission. Forty to fifty observers will arrive in Morocco during the first week of September. Following the elections the delegation will publish a report on the Moroccan elections.
