Prosecutors have been instructed to move quickly against electoral offences and remain on call throughout the election period as preparations intensify for the September 23 legislative vote.
Hicham Balaoui, Prosecutor General of the King at the Court of Cassation and President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, issued the instructions in a circular to prosecutors at courts of appeal and first-instance courts.
He called for “firmness and rigor” in dealing with practices that could undermine the regularity or transparency of the vote or fair competition between candidates.
Complaints and reports of suspected electoral violations are to receive particular attention, with prosecutors instructed to investigate them quickly and take cases to court where the facts warrant prosecution.
The circular also calls for the effective application of penalties provided for under electoral legislation.
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Prosecutors to remain on call
Prosecutors’ offices will maintain an on-call service throughout the electoral period to handle complaints, reports and proceedings as they arise and allow for a rapid response to incidents.
Balaoui also ordered closer coordination between regional and local prosecution units at courts of appeal and first-instance courts.
Judicial officials have been instructed to circulate the guidelines among prosecutors under their authority and report any difficulties in implementing them to the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The circular places the judiciary’s role within the requirements of Article 11 of the Constitution, which establishes “free, sincere and transparent” elections as the basis of the legitimacy of democratic representation.
