Morocco strengthens legal measures ahead of 2026 elections

As Morocco prepares for the 2026 legislative elections, the country is strengthening its legal framework to protect electoral integrity. The Presidency of the Public Ministry has released a comprehensive 300-page guide for judges, detailing infractions, sanctions, and jurisprudence related to all stages of the voting process, from voter registration to the final count.

New legislative updates, specifically laws 53.25 and 55.25, have expanded the scope of punishable behaviors. These include identity theft during registration, voting multiple times, and exerting undue influence on voters. For instance, offering gifts or advantages to influence votes for the House of Representatives can result in two to five years of imprisonment and fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 dirhams.

Simultaneously, political discourse is intensifying with ambitious campaign promises. Some political programs, such as those from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), propose significant economic impacts, including a 350 billion dirham boost to growth. However, these projections face scrutiny when compared to more conservative growth estimates from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.