Morocco Expands Political Rights for Diaspora: New Measures Boost Overseas Voter Participation

The national electoral system guarantees, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the right for members of the Moroccan community residing abroad to register on the general electoral lists and to participate in voting and candidacies in all electoral events organized on the national territory, like the citizens residing in Morocco, assured the Minister of the Interior, who was responding to a written question from a councilor on the participation of members of the Moroccan community residing abroad in the political process.

"In order to enable them to acquire the status of voters within the kingdom, the legislator has ensured to take into account their particular situation, by expanding the possibilities of their registration on the general electoral lists. As for voting, they have been granted the right to vote directly in polling stations in Morocco or by proxy from their country of residence. They have also been recognized the right to stand for local and legislative elections within the framework of the electoral constituencies established on the national territory," said Abdelouafi Laftit.

He recalled that "it was required, on the occasion of the 2021 elections, that each political party present a candidate residing abroad at the head of at least one regional list, under penalty of not benefiting from public funding." A measure aimed at facilitating the access of Moroccan women residing abroad to the House of Representatives.

The government remains open to any constructive proposal aimed at strengthening the electoral participation of Moroccans residing abroad, within the framework of the provisions offered by the Constitution of the kingdom, emphasized the minister.

For him, "the expected objectives can only be fully achieved with the commitment and mobilization of all the actors concerned, in particular the political parties, whose role remains central in this field, through the presentation of candidates from this community in advanced positions on the electoral lists submitted in various electoral constituencies, which would qualify them to access the elected institutions of our country."