The deadline for submitting candidacy declarations for Morocco’s 2026 House of Representatives elections ended Wednesday, paving the way for the official election campaign to begin Thursday.
The campaign will start at midnight Wednesday and run through midnight Sept. 22, according to the Interior Ministry.
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit had previously informed prospective candidates that the deadline for submitting candidacy declarations through the designated electronic platform was noon Sept. 8. The deadline for submitting original candidacy files to the authorities responsible for receiving applications expired at noon Wednesday.
The campaign will be governed by a set of legal restrictions and penalties under Organic Law 53.25, which amended and supplemented Organic Law 27.11 governing the House of Representatives.
The provisions are intended to safeguard the integrity of electoral competition, ensure equal opportunities among candidates and protect voters’ freedom of choice.
Restrictions on campaign materials and activities
Election advertisements are subject to legal rules governing their preparation, posting and distribution, including restrictions on displaying them in certain locations and on specified public infrastructure.
Marches, processions and the use of loudspeakers during the campaign require written notification to the relevant local administrative authority at least 24 hours in advance. The notification must specify the starting and ending times and the planned route.
Unofficial election advertisements, candidate programs and campaign materials are also prohibited from using red or green, or a combination of the two colors.
The law prohibits campaigning in places of worship, educational and vocational training institutions, and public administration offices, as part of measures designed to preserve the neutrality of public and institutional spaces.
Campaign restrictions extend through election day.
Anyone who publishes or distributes election advertisements, campaign materials or other electoral documents on election day, either directly or through another person, can face three to six months in prison and a fine ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 dirhams ($2,000-$5,400).
The provision applies to distribution through social media, open-broadcast networks, artificial intelligence tools, online platforms and internet-based applications or information systems.
The law also prohibits the publication of paid political advertisements or election materials on foreign-based online platforms and includes provisions covering electoral offenses committed through social media, open-broadcast networks, artificial intelligence tools and online platforms and applications.
Rules aimed at protecting voters and administrative neutrality
The legislation imposes additional penalties on public officials who use their positions to influence voters.
Public employees or administrative officials who, while performing their duties, distribute candidates’ programs, campaign materials or other electoral documents can face six months to one year in prison and a fine of between 50,000 and 100,000 dirhams.
The same penalties apply to officials who, while performing their duties or in connection with their official functions, seek to persuade or influence voters to support a particular candidate or political party.
The law also prohibits candidates and others from obtaining or attempting to obtain votes through gifts, donations or other benefits, or from using such incentives to persuade voters not to participate in the election.
Attempts to influence a voter through violence, threats or intimidation — including threats of job loss or harm to the voter, their family or property — are also subject to penalties.
Campaign finances under scrutiny
Campaign finances will also be subject to oversight.
Candidates and parties must submit their campaign accounts within 90 days of the announcement of election results through an electronic platform established by Morocco’s Court of Auditors, in addition to submitting the accounts in physical form.
The Court of Auditors will be responsible for examining campaign accounts as part of its oversight of electoral campaign financing.
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