Local polls: over 400 complaints against electoral code breaches

Some 413 complaints have been filed in Morocco, from the beginning of the electoral campaign until elections' day on September 12, concerning violations of the electoral code and irregularities in electoral operations, the justice ministry said Saturday in a release.

The complaints, filed by political parties, individuals, and authorities' agents, deal with 263 cases of violation of the electoral code and 150 cases with a criminal aspect.

Some 230 complaints are still being investigated while legal action was taken in 80 cases. Eighty-one people were sued following the complaints and 13 judgements were pronounced, the source goes on.

As for electoral contentions with a civil aspect, administrative courts and courts of first instance received 96 complaints about candidates to September 12 polls about which rulings were handed down. Fifteen complaints were accepted while the rest were rejected.

The ministry of justice pointed out to some incidents that took place on election day, including a dispute between backers of two candidates that led to the death of one man and the injury of six others.

In another incident, one person died after a fight while serious injuries were reported following other quarrels. Police received instructions to take the necessary measures and to conduct investigations about these incidents with the required firmness.

The Judiciary authorities, the release underlined, closely followed the different steps of the electoral operation as they were keen to provide an appropriate climate for elections and guarantee transparency, honesty and credibility within respect of loyal competition between candidates.