Moroccan Parliament Rejects Voting Rights for Expatriates in Upcoming Elections

It was by 244 votes against, 8 abstentions and only 18, all belonging to Istiqlal, that the deputies rejected, last Friday at the House of Representatives, the amendment authorizing Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) to participate directly in the next legislative elections. The explanations of Omar Abbassi from the Istiqlal group were to no avail.

The Party of Justice and Development (PJD), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the Popular Movement MP all voted against the political participation of MREs. Deputy Omar Hjira, a PI member, took the opportunity to denounce the hypocrisy of the parties who constantly call for the presence of the Moroccan community in both Houses of Parliament but do the opposite when it comes to voting.