Agadir – International observers taking part today in Morocco’s legislative elections have noted strong voter turnout and civic participation in Laayoune, where voters arrived at polling stations from the early hours of the ballot.
Raquel Guevara, President of El Salvador’s Human Rights Defense Office and an accredited election observer, described the voting process in Laayoune as a “true civic celebration.”
Guevara said she was particularly struck by the large number of voters who came to exercise their right to vote, highlighting the participation of women.
She visited a polling station early in the morning when voting began and found that the station had opened on time. She also observed that many voters were already waiting to enter the polling station.
Observers point to diverse participation
French observer Fatma Lamir, from the association “La ème – Talent et Territoires,” also noted strong civic participation in Laayoune.
Lamir said she was observing Moroccan elections for the second time after taking part in monitoring the 2021 elections in Guelmim.
She said she was pleased to see strong voter mobilization again and to witness citizens taking part in the electoral process.
“The participation is beautiful, it is magnificent. There are women, young people, older voters, and people with reduced mobility. It is simply extraordinary,” Lamir said.
The observations came as Moroccan voters headed to polling stations across the country today to elect members of the House of Representatives.
More than 3,000 observers accredited
The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers has accredited 3,006 observers for the September 23 legislative elections.
The observers represent 26 non-governmental associations and national institutions, as well as 30 international bodies and organizations.
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) said around 200 international observers from different parts of Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia are taking part in the observation process.
The CNDH said the observers are expected to monitor the different stages of the electoral process independently and impartially and in line with Morocco’s legal and regulatory framework.
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