Morocco's Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit launched Wednesday political consultations for next year’s elections despite rumors that the polls could be postponed over the coronavirus outbreak.
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper was informed that on Wednesday Laftit held a meeting in Rabat with heads of parties represented in parliament to exchange views on the elections.
He was accompanied by Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior Noureddine Boutayeb.
A party representative, who attended the meeting, informed the newspaper that talks didn’t discuss the details of the elections.
The ministry will strive for the success of all stages of the electoral process and will carry out all the tasks assigned to it with seriousness and responsibility, said Laftit, stressing that all the parties must stick to democratic values, election ethics and the obligation to transparency and fair competition to allow organizers to respond as strictly as possible in the event of a violation.
The ministry is mobilized, alongside the leaders of political parties to find adequate solutions to electoral deadlines within the framework of a responsible and transparent debate, he added.
Laftit called on them to present their proposals to changes to the electoral system, before examining and debating them within the framework of consultations with political bodies.
The minister stressed that the government and political actors were willing to continue strengthening the kingdom’s democratic process.
He further recalled the considerable political, economic and social progress made by Morocco during the last two decades.
Laftit affirmed that King Mohammed VI’s wise decisions, aimed at upholding the rule of law through deep institutional reforms, have made it possible to establish a healthy climate for the exercise of democratic freedoms.
He also reiterated that his ministry ensures and protects the multiparty system in line with Royal instructions.
