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NDI has worked to strengthen democratic institutions in Morocco since 1997, implementing programs in the country that encourage citizen engagement in the political process, increase the responsiveness of political parties to citizens' needs, strengthen parliament and expand political participation for women and young people. NDI also works to support elections in Morocco, organizing a 52-member international election observation delegation in 2007. The delegation, the first ever in Morocco, assessed the conduct and management of the legislative elections and issued a final report with recommendations for improving electoral processes and advancing long-term democratic reforms.
In an historic election marking advancements in women's participation, more than 3,400 women were elected to local office in June 2009, following the adoption of a quota calling for a minimum of 12 percent representation by women in locally elected bodies. In preparation for the local elections, the Institute supported Moroccan political parties and civil society as they advocated for the quota and trained over 2,100 women candidates, of whom 5 percent were successful in winning seats. NDI's Morocco office also recently hosted a North Africa regional civic conference for women activists from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia to share experiences and strategies for broadening women's political engagement.
Political Context
Morocco is one of the most compelling examples of democratic development in the Middle East and North Africa. Since his accession in 1999, King Mohammed VI has undertaken reforms which have begun to liberalize the political process. Specific advances have been made to promote personal freedoms and women's rights, such as the 2004 amendment to the moudawana (Family Code) that awarded women and men equal rights in divorce, inheritance and custody matters. The King also established an Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER), which made significant progress in recognizing human rights abuses committed by the previous regime. While reforms and their initial results have clearly gained momentum among political elites, it is significant that they remain a top-down approach directed by the King and the executive machinery. In effect, the process has forced the "supply side" of the equation — the parties and parliament — to respond. The important question of how to ensure an increase on the "demand side" — citizens and voters — remains and will hinge on the ability of ordinary citizens to feel that reforms positively impact their lives and address the issues about which they are most concerned, such as employment, education and the delivery of social services.
Political parties and civil society groups increased their outreach to voters during the 2007 legislative elections, developing relevant policy platforms and encouraging voter turnout. Despite these efforts, voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the slow pace of reform — and the political system as a whole — with the lowest turnout in the country's electoral history. The Moroccan electorate sent a strong message to the government that elections alone do not represent true democracy.
The Palace and government authorities acknowledged the low voter turnout was cause for concern and encouraged political parties and civil society organizations to better engage voters in the 2009 municipal elections.
In June 2009, Moroccan political parties competed in local elections across the country. Some party reformers began to adopt strategies that will further help them in the 2012 legislative elections, such as a focus on grassroots activism and voter education.
Political Party Assistance
During its 13 years of work in Morocco, NDI has developed close working relationships with political parties from across the political spectrum. NDI sponsored trainings on conflict resolution techniques and strategic planning have improved parties' internal organization and communication and, in turn, have encouraged political party members to train fellow members. NDI worked with a number of parties to help them run better campaigns in the recent elections. For example, several parties established national campaign management teams for the first time to coordinate party activities at all levels. NDI also conducted public opinion research to help parties build their identities and policy platforms. The Institute actively encourages and supports women and youth candidates seeking more influential roles within their parties' decision-making structures.
As parties look ahead, they must continue to strengthen both their internal structure and their external outreach. NDI consults with Moroccan political parties on a range of organizational improvements, such as switching from paper membership records to computerized databases, creating internal technology training teams, developing protocols for communication with branch offices and better equipping regional and local offices. With assistance from NDI, several parties have also established youth wings and enhanced recruitment of younger members, engaging youth more directly in the political process.
Women's Political Participation
In June 2009, over 3,400 women were elected to local office — an historic high. Women now have better access to a level of decision making that directly impacts their lives and those of their families. NDI continues to work to increase women's participation as both party members and legislators. NDI supports women by hosting seminars and workshops on women's political participation, and promoting networking opportunities for women involved in politics. NDI supported the efforts of several leading women politicians in the creation of the Women's MP Forum, a group supporting women MPs who work together to influence policy and highlight issues pertinent to women.
In partnership with Moroccan women's NGO Union de l’Action Feminine (UAF), NDI assisted with the creation of Women Helping Women (WHW), an informal multipartisan committee of civil society leaders, MPs, party activists, academics and lawyers. They came together initially to advocate for increased representation of women in elected office and other decision-making bodies. In less than one year, the group grew from 20 members to more than 1,000 and established local networks in more than 20 locations. WHW advocated successfully to secure a quota for locally elected women, pushed for parties to adopt internal quotas, trained more than 1,000 women to run for office and held multiparty pre-election marches to encourage the public to support women candidates.
Because the Institute considers Morocco's advancements in the realm of women's participation as a valuable example of women from throughout the region, NDI's Morocco office is the hub for a number of regional women's initiatives, including the "Youth of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow" program — an intensive year-long effort involving leadership skills-training, peer mentoring and ongoing support to young women carrying out projects in their communities.
- 'Leaders of Tomorrow' conference kicks off collaborative program for North African women»
- Young women leaders collaborate at North African regional conference»
Civil Society Engagement
NDI's work with local organizations focuses on their engagement of citizens on key social and political issues facing the country. The Institute worked with 2007 Daba, the group leading voter education efforts across the country, to organize a national caravan that toured Morocco to provide citizens with information on the electoral process and encourage their participation in the September 2007. NDI has also been engaged in a long-term partnership with Moroccan women's NGO, Union de l’Action Feminine (UAF), to provide training and assistance.
Parliamentary Support
NDI has partnered with the Moroccan parliament to strengthen the institution through staff development, strategic communications and other organizational programs. The Institute conducted ongoing skills-development programs for legislators and parliamentary group members on topics such as caucus organization, coalition building, constituent outreach, media relations, bill drafting, strategic planning and legislative debate and research. In partnership with the parliament and a local university, NDI sponsors an ongoing parliamentary internship program. Through the program, young people have the opportunity to engage in politics and develop legislative and leadership skills, while MPs and caucuses get extra help conducting their daily operations.
The Institute has worked with MPs through a "Mobile Parliament" initiative to give citizens from around Morocco the opportunity to meet with their elected representatives locally, providing venues for constituents to share their concerns and priorities with MPs and helping the public understand the role of the parliament.
Elections
The Institute works with Moroccans to improve electoral processes in the country, including providing logistical and technical support for the first formal domestic observation efforts by local organizations in 2007. NDI also organized the first-ever international observation mission in Morocco's history for legislative elections. The mission included a five-member pre-election delegation and a 52-member election delegation with participants representing 19 countries. They observed voting and counting processes in 375 polling centers across the country. The delegation issued a final report featuring recommendations to improve electoral processes and advance long-term democratic reforms.
- Final Report on the Moroccan Legislative Elections, 2007 (English) | (French) | (Arabic)
- Morocco Pre-Election Statement, 2007 (French) | (Arabic)
- Voter Apathy in the September 2007 Moroccan Elections (English) | (French)
In 2009, NDI provided assistance to political parties to train and deploy more than 17,000 party poll watchers to observe voting in polling stations across the country.
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Washington, D.C.
Andrew Farrand, Program Officer
(202) 728-5550
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