Morocco to enforce heavy sanctions against election riggers

Morocco said it will enforce heavy sanctions against people found guilty of rigging during the elections to be held in Morocco next September.

The government council members, meeting Thursday under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, agreed on tightening sanctions to reprimand the use of money in the elections, culture and communication minister, Mohammed Achaari told the press.

Local and parliamentary elections will be held next September to renew present legislative and local bodies elected in 1996.

The council also agreed to establish new electoral rolls and to adopt the list voting system in the upcoming elections, said Achaari at the end of the council meeting.

Relatedly Youssoufi told French L'Express weekly that Morocco will enforce heavier sanctions against riggers in a bid to secure elections transparency.

He urged civil society associations to get mobilized and be a control force during the elections.