Morocco to Test New Electoral Law this Year

The Moroccans are preparing to select their municipal and local government leaders this year. Nationwide elections are scheduled to take place on June 12, 2009, according to the country’s new electoral law. As part of the legislation, the electoral list must be finalized by the end of February 2009. Voters will receive their cards by May 20, 2009.

The new law requires that citizens should provide two documents to receive a voter’s card. The national ID card is required for all citizens to be included in the voters’ list, while proof of residency in the local community will be required only for residents, but not for expatriates and the nomadic population. For those who do not have a national ID card, the family booklet (livret de famille) can be a replacement.

These requirements are excepted to bring clarity to the electoral lists, which have been the subject of controversy in the past. Voters’ lists have had lot of errors, from duplications to the inclusion of deceased individuals. Political parties will be given access to the lists, if they wish so.

This year could also be an important one for women politicians. Efforts are underway to increase the participation of women in local politics, including the establishment of a special fund to help female candidates. In 2003, only 0.6% of the 22,000 elected officials were women.