The Interior Committee approved the organic law project for the House of Representatives with the agreement of 19 deputies.
Follow-Up
On Thursday evening, the Interior Committee, along with the committee on territorial communities, housing, urban policy, and administrative affairs, approved by majority the organic law project No. 27.11 related to the House of Representatives, in the presence of the Minister of Interiors, Abdel-Wafi Laftit, following extensive discussion of the proposed amendments to various articles of the project, totaling 164 amendments.
The amendments included proposals from various parliamentary groups, notably the Justice and Development Party with 45 amendments, the Socialist Group – Federal Opposition with 35 amendments, and the Progress and Socialism Group with 19 amendments. Additionally, the majority groups submitted 17 amendments, while independent female deputies proposed amendments, including Fatima Tamani (23 amendments) and Nabila Munib (19 amendments).
The committee held extensive discussions regarding Article 6 related to disqualifications for candidacy, emphasizing the necessity to protect the electoral process and fortify the legislative institution. Meanwhile, opposition deputies highlighted the importance of respecting the presumption of innocence and not disqualifying individuals until a final judgment is issued.
An agreement was also reached on Article 11 concerning instances of removing the designation of parliamentary deputy, which added the Public Prosecution Authority as an initiating party to request removal in cases of conviction post-election, alongside requests from the House of Representatives Bureau, the Minister of Justice, or the authority responsible for receiving candidacies.
Regarding independents, the government approved the Socialist Group – Federal Opposition’s proposal that candidacy lists must obtain at least 5% of the expressed votes to qualify for public financial support equivalent to 75% of the electoral campaign expenses, establishing a ceiling for this support. The majority groups presented the same percentage, while the Justice and Development Group proposed 3%.
Ministers and deputies affirmed that this amendment guarantees equal opportunities between parties and independents and enhances the rationalization of financial support for independent candidacies, emphasizing the need for independent candidates to present a comprehensive and reliable electoral program. The electronic platform was also adapted to facilitate participation for individuals with disabilities.
The decree referenced in Article 93 outlines the conditions and mechanisms for disbursing support to independent candidates, which deducts from the state’s contribution to funding the electoral campaigns of parties participating in the general elections for the House of Representatives.
