HIBAPRESS
The Center for Strategic Thinking and Defense of Democracy and the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights announced the coordination of their efforts to organize a joint process for neutral and independent observation of the legislative elections scheduled to take place on September 23, 2026, in the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region.
The two parties clarified, in a joint statement issued in Laayoune on September 9th, that the process will be carried out in accordance with the constitution and Law No. 30.11 concerning the conditions and modalities of independent and neutral observation of elections, and the decisions of the special committee for accrediting election observers.
The initiative aims, according to the statement, to contribute to strengthening the integrity and transparency of the electoral process and consolidating confidence in elected institutions, by adopting professional observation based on neutrality, independence, impartiality, and respect for the will of voters, without interfering in the conduct of electoral operations or influencing them.
The coordination includes the preparation and qualification of observers, standardization of data collection tools, and the distribution of observation teams to constituencies and polling stations covered, in addition to monitoring the various stages of the electoral process, from the election campaign through election day and vote counting to the announcement of results, within the legal powers granted to observers and after completing accreditation procedures.
The two organizations will also monitor the content of party electoral programs and their responsiveness to the priorities of integrated territorial development programs, particularly in the areas of employment, education, health, sustainable water management, territorial development, isolation reduction, and reduction of spatial inequalities.
This monitoring will also focus on the clarity, feasibility, deadlines, indicators, costs, and funding sources of electoral commitments, and their consideration of the specificities of the southern provinces.
The two parties affirmed the adoption of a unified monitoring network applied to all parties and candidates without discrimination, separating the legal observation of the conduct of elections from the objective evaluation of program quality, to avoid leveraging development references in favor of or against any political party.
Field data will be documented and verified according to a unified methodology, while respecting the secrecy of the vote and protecting personal data. The conclusions of the process will be presented in a joint report including recorded facts, general indicators, and recommendations aimed at improving electoral practice and strengthening the integration of the territorial dimension in public policies and programs.
The Center for Strategic Thinking and Defense of Democracy and the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights emphasized their commitment to the principles of independence, neutrality, objectivity, impartiality, and the code of conduct for election observers, while continuing consultation with various institutional and civil stakeholders.
The two parties are expected to present a report on the election observation process and various completed works, after the data is processed, analyzed, and the follow-ups during the election campaign, election day, and the results are compiled.
