Independent and impartial observation of elections
Independent and impartial observation of elections is, according to Law # 30-11 on the terms and conditions of the independent and impartial observation, any action aiming at monitoring the electoral process, gathering related data and information, objectively and impartially, and assessing election conditions and to what extent they comply with the constitutional provisions, laws and regulations, and international standards governing elections. Accredited organizations draw up reports with their observations and possible recommendations that will be referred the competent authorities.
Who can observe elections?
- National institutions mandated by law to observe elections;
- Active civil society organizations recognized for professionalism advocating for human rights and the promotion of the values of citizenship and democracy, legally established and operating in accordance with their articles of association;
- International non-governmental organizations interested in election observation, legally established in accordance with their national laws and recognized for their independence and objectivity.
How to obtain accreditation?
To obtain accreditation, eligible organizations, through their legal representative, must submit an application for accreditation to the Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers. They must fill in the application form available on the website and sent to the Commission with the other required documents, with the deadline.
Applications by foreign non-governmental organizations must be field to the Special Commission by their legal representative through the National Human Rights Council.
What are the requirements/criteria for accreditation?
Moroccan observers:
- must be candidates in no constituency in the elections they want to observe;
- must be registered on the electoral lists.
What are the rights of election observers?
Accredited observers have the right to:
- circulate freely throughout the national territory to carry out the observation mission for which he/she is accredited;
- obtain information concerning the conduct of the elections for which he/she is accredited, with the possibility to meet or discuss with those involved in the electoral process;
- attend demonstrations and public gatherings organized as part of election campaigns;
- access to the polling stations, to the central polling stations and to the counting commission to observe and monitor polling, vote counting and announcement of results;
- communicate with public and private media after the announcement of the election results;
- hold meetings with all stakeholders in the electoral process to discuss the findings of their work and their recommendations in this regard, during the preparation of his/her report;
- draw up evaluation reports on the electoral process and its results and submit them to the accredited organization and the Commission.
What are the duties of election observers?
Accredited observers must:
- respect the sovereignty of the State, its institutions, authorities, laws and regulations and international human rights standards;
- respect public order in polling stations and during public gatherings and demonstrations organized within the framework of election campaigns;
- present their accreditation cards to public authorities and the heads of polling stations whenever asked to do so, and always wear their accreditation badges;
- abide by objectivity, independence, integrity, neutrality, impartiality and non-alignment in monitoring the elections and in assessing their results;
- refrain from interfering in the electoral process, respect the secrecy of the vote, and never influence the free choice of voters;
- and refrain from issuing any statement, communication, comment or declaration to the written, audio-visual or electronic media before the end of elections and the announcement of final general results.
Accredited organizations finance the costs of their observation missions.
In what cases can an accreditation card be withdrawn?
The observer’s accreditation card and badge can be withdrawn by the Commission if the observer fails to comply with the provisions of Article 17 of Law No. 30-11and breaches his/her duties (see What are the duties of election observers?). When the card/badge is withdrawn the observer is then immediately prohibited from exercising any further observation missions and any access to the polling stations.
The decision to withdraw the accreditation card/badge and prohibit any further observation tasks is notified to the observer’s accredited organization. The organization is warned against the need to ensure its observers’ respect for the observation charter and their duties as observers.
When one of the accredited organization’s observer (or more than observer) always fail to comply with the observers’ duties and the provisions of Article 17 of Law #30-11, the organization’s accreditation will be immediately withdrawn.