Sources: Moroccan Parliament tightens rules on absenteeism with new penalties

The Moroccan House of Representatives has begun enforcing stricter attendance rules following the recent reading of the names of absent deputies during public sessions. The move, which aims to address ongoing absenteeism, is in line with Article 395 of the House’s new internal regulations, which stipulate penalties for deputies who miss sessions without a valid excuse.

A well-placed source within the Ethics Committee revealed that the reading of absent members’ names on November 4 and 11 marked the start of applying these new provisions, which could include salary deductions for deputies who repeatedly miss sessions.

The source added that the upcoming sessions this week will be pivotal in determining whether deductions will be enforced.

While the move has been praised for its effectiveness in filling the chamber during last week’s session, the source admitted that the implementation was somewhat rushed and did not fully follow the internal regulations.

According to the rules, absent deputies are first required to receive a written warning, which was not always the case. Complaints from members, some of whom were late or had local duties, particularly mayors, have been received.

The internal regulations mandate that deputies attend committee meetings and public sessions unless they provide a valid excuse, such as a medical certificate.

If a deputy misses a session without a valid excuse, the president must issue a written warning. A second absence without excuse in the same session results in the deputy’s name being publicly read during the next session. A third or more absences without valid excuses will lead to financial deductions from the deputy’s monthly allowance.

The push to enforce stricter attendance rules follows growing concerns over the impact of repeated absences on the parliament’s image and its functioning.

The Bureau of the House is closely monitoring attendance, with the chamber’s image department tracking the presence of deputies through camera feeds.

Despite some controversy surrounding the public naming of absentees, the source indicated that the practice is unlikely to be reversed. Future enforcement of the internal regulations is expected to be more precise and in full compliance with the law.

Under the new rules, the names of absent deputies will be published in official parliamentary reports and on the House’s website. Notifications will be sent to deputies’ parliamentary groups or to the addresses they have registered with the House.