Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers convenes its 2nd meeting to decide over a second set of accreditation applications

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers convened on Thursday, June 30, 2016 a second meeting at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) in Rabat to decide over the second set of accreditation applications from national and international bodies.

The Commission has decided to give accreditation to 16 bodies including 5 international organizations. It rejected 10 applications and deferred the decision on five others. The number of accredited bodies has so far reached 33 bodies (28 national and 5 international organizations).

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers is established within the CNDH, in compliance with Law # 30-11, laying down the terms and conditions of independent and impartial election observation. The Commission is mandated to receive, review and decide on the accreditation applications. It issues special cards and badges to accredited observers and drafts the observer’s charter, a document laying down the principles and fundamental rules that every accredited observer must respect.

Chaired by the CNDH Chairman, or a representative acting on his behalf, the Special Commission includes the following members:

• Four members representing the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Ministry of Communication;
• A representative of the Délégation interministérielle aux droits de l’Homme (inter-ministerial department for human rights);
• A representative of the Central Authority for Corruption Prevention;
• Five representatives of civil society associations acting as members of the National Human Rights Council.

The secretariat of the commission is managed by the Secretariat General of the National Human Rights Council.

Neutral and independent observation of elections

The independent and neutral observation is an action aiming (under Law #30-11) at monitoring electoral operations, gathering objective, impartial and neutral related data and information and assessing the organization and the operation of the elections, in addition to respect of constitutional rules, laws and regulations governing elections and international standards in the field.