CNDH ENTRUSTED WITH ACCREDITATION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FOR 2011 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Under law 30.11, laying down terms and conditions of neutral and independent election observation, the (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is entrusted with the accreditation of national and international observers for the 2011 parliamentary elections, due on November 25, 2011.

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers held its first meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., at CNDH headquarters in Rabat.

Several points were scheduled during this meeting, mainly the presentation of the commission’s members, Law 30.11 on the election observation, the draft public statement on the accreditation requirements, draft accreditation form, draft observation charter, draft letter of commitment, accreditation procedures and the presentation of the website of the commission and its by-law.

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers was created under Law 30-11 (Official Gazette No. 5984 dated October 6, 2011).

It is mandated to receive, review and decide on applications for certification, issue, through relevant bodies, special cards to the accredited observers and the badges they must wear. The commission drafted a charter laying down the principles and basic rules observers must respect.

It organized training sessions for election observers and will forward the observation reports, that she will receive from the accredited bodies, to the competent authorities.

Chaired by the President of the National Human Rights Council, the Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers is composed of:

- CNDH Secretary General;

- Four members representing the government authorities in charge of Justice, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Communication;

- A representative of the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Human Rights;

- A representative of the National Agency of Integrity and Prevention and Fight against Corruption;

- Five representatives of civil society associations, members of the National Human Rights Council.

The upcoming parliamentary elections, due on November 25, 2011, are the first elections to be held within the framework of the new Constitution, adopted on July 1st, 2011, which institutionalizes independent and neutral election observation.