Morocco Calls on Imams, Preachers To Remain Neutral During Elections

Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has issued a communique calling on all imams and preachers across the country to display neutrality during elections.

The country’s general elections are set to take place on September 8.

In its statement, the ministry urged all religious personnel to remain neutral vis-a-vis the next elections.

The call is also directed at employees and preachers affiliated to the ministry.

The communique, which was signed by Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq, called on the minister’s delegates and representative across the country to ensure the effective implementation of all of the instructions regarding neutrality during elections.

The ministry said that any religious rector with plans to run in the elections will be relieved of their administrative duties. 

The press release warned religious personnel of involvement in a campaign for or against a political party or trade union groups, saying that this is in accordance with legal requirements that regulate the work of imams and preachers.

This year’s general elections will be the third elections held in Morocco since 2011, when King Mohammed VI enacted constitutional reforms to expand the prerogatives of the Moroccan parliament.

The ruling political party, the conservative Justice and Development Party (PJD), controls the Moroccan parliament. Out of 595 seats available in both houses of the parliament, PJD holds 125 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 seats in the House of Councillors. 

The party also leads the government coalition, and appears determined to win the coming elections despite reports of internal divisions. 

Many political parties have already started campaigning, and the largest opposition parties are expected to capitalize on the public’s apparent frustration with PJD’s failure to effectively implement many of the political reforms made in recent years. However, it remains to be seen whether the opposition can build a strong coalition to defeat the ruling conservative party.