Committee sets date for journalists' elections

A provisional committee tasked with overseeing the National Press Council has officially set September 15 as the election date for professional journalist representatives. This decision, formalized in a regulatory decision dated August 10, aims to establish the new governing body for the Moroccan press.

The committee, which also handles the election of newspaper publisher representatives, outlined the voting process. The polls will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on the designated election day. This move follows the recent promulgation of Law No. 09.26, which reorganizes the National Press Council, with specific articles detailing the electoral procedures.

Key to the process is the updating of voter lists. The committee has mandated the publication of the electoral roll for professional journalists, detailing registered voters and their distribution across polling stations. This list will be posted at the council's headquarters and published online to ensure transparency and accessibility. Provisions have been made for individuals not appearing on the list to submit requests for inclusion within five days of its publication, provided they submit necessary documentation to prove their eligibility.

Furthermore, the committee has set deadlines for candidate nominations. The period for submitting candidacies for journalist representatives will run from August 24 to August 28. The committee will then review these applications and announce the list of approved and rejected candidates, along with reasons for any rejections. A separate process is underway for the election of publisher representatives, with nomination files due between September 1 and September 5.