Legislative elections 2016: Special Commission for the Accreditation of Observers convenes its 1st meeting in Rabat

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers held its first meeting today, April 7, 2016, in preparation for the independent and neutral observation of the next legislative elections, due on 7th of October 2015. The meeting was held at National Human Rights Council’s office in Rabat.

Chaired by CNDH Secretary General Mohammed Essabbar, the meeting was convened to update the commission’s by-laws and the criteria for accreditation.

The Commission also exchanged on its plan of action and the call for applications it will launch for the observation of the 2016 legislative elections.

The Special Commission for the Accreditation of Election Observers is established within the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), in compliance with Law # 30-11, laying down the terms and conditions of independent and neutral election observation. It 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.

Shall be able to fulfill the independent and neutral election observation:

• National institutions mandated by law to fulfill the tasks of election observation;
• Active civil society associations recognized for their professionalism and work for human rights and the promotion of the values of citizenship and democracy, legally established and operating in accordance with their articles of association;
• And foreign non-governmental organizations interested in election observation, that are legally established under their national legislation and known for their independence and objectivity.