Foreign election interference fears have pushed Morocco’s Interior Ministry to defend a proposed amendment that would penalise the intentional spread of false information about elections, as lawmakers raised concerns that the measure could limit free expression.
The debate centres on a new Article 51-bis added to Organic Law 27-11 on the election of members of the House of Representatives. The clause introduces prison terms and fines for individuals who knowingly disseminate fabricated allegations meant to undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit told parliament that democracies globally face organised manipulation campaigns through social media, and that Morocco must shield its elections from external interference.
He rejected claims that the proposal is a tool to silence criticism, saying the text targets only invented events presented as fact. “You may express doubts or critique the process, but you cannot fabricate incidents,” he said.
Those who publish allegations would need to substantiate them if prosecuted.
The minister also argued that the measure is designed to protect candidates from digital smear campaigns that can spread widely during election season.
Lawmakers from the PAM parliamentary group echoed the concern, saying recurrent rumours about “dead voters,” tampered rolls or invented irregularities have repeatedly eroded public trust.
Ahmed Touizi of PAM said the amendment could help prevent narratives that “damage the credibility of elected officials and the electoral system as a whole.”
He also criticised the political practice of candidates accepting results when they win and alleging fraud when they lose, calling it a destabilising form of contestation.
Hicham El Mehajri, also from PAM, urged additional safeguards against deepfakes and online manipulation, noting that “a fabricated video released a day before voting can destroy a candidacy with no realistic remedy.”
The government has not set a deadline for submissions but urged parliamentary groups to accelerate their proposals.
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