Morocco Considers Postponing 2021 Elections Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Two positions are emerging. Some political leaders argue that the 2021 elections, a full-scale test, must be held in accordance with the constitutional and legal deadlines. These elections will have to lead to the appointment of 32,000 local elected officials in the municipal, provincial and prefectural assemblies as well as the regional councils, in addition to the representatives of the employees and the 515 members of the two chambers of Parliament, reports Assabah.

Other political party leaders are calling for an outright postponement of these elections due to the country’s worrying epidemiological situation. They prefer that the 3 billion DH representing the cost of the elections be paid into the special Covid-19 fund to be used for economic and social purposes. According to them, this postponement is necessary as it will prevent the high risk of contamination during the election campaign.

What happened in Marrakech during the last partial elections reinforces the position of these political leaders. PJD candidates and elected officials had been declared positive for Covid-19. Consequently, these leaders want to write to the head of government to ask him to postpone the debate on the elections. They are asking to prioritize the revival of the economy and the improvement of the country’s social situation.