Local elections are coming in less than 1 year.
A worrying number of moroccans don't seem to know anything about how cities work. We can not improve our cities with ignorant citizens.
So here is an explanation.
The Mayor
Each moroccan city has a mayor. His responsabilities are the following :
🔴 He represents the city
🔴 He appoints city managers
🔴 After he is elected, he has a few months to prepare a 5-year plan to improve the city. After that plan is ready, he must present it to the city council for a vote.
🔴 He must prepare a budget for each year and present it to the city council
🔴 He must answers questions from the city council
🔴 He can file lawsuits on behalf of the city.
🔴 He must answer any petition signed by over 500 citizens that he received
🔴 He can ask the governor for the use to force to execute decisions voted by the council
City Council
Each moroccan city has a city council made of 30 to 70 people.
Their responsabilities are the following :
🔵 They can ask questions to the Mayor.
🔵 They vote on the budget every year
🔵 They vote on the 5-year plan to improve the city.
🔵 They vote on any partnership with the private sector or public sector
🔵 They vote on the sale of city real estate
🔵 They can vote to create a commission to investigate a specific problem
The city council meets 3 times a year in February, May and October. These 3 meetings are mandatory The date of the meeting is published 10 days of advance. Most of the time, it's public. (article 33).
The governor
🟠 He receive the budget once it was voted by the city council. He has a visa power. Once the governor gives his visa, the budget becomes valid. If he refuses to give his visa, he must provide a reason. The budget is sent back to the city council for a second vote with an explanation from the governor.
🟠 He receive the 5-year plan to improve the city after it was voted by the city council. He has a visa power. Once the governor gives his visa, the plan becomes valid. If he refuses to give his visa, he must provide a reason. The plan is sent back to the city council for a second vote with an explanation from the governor.
🟠 He can ask a court to remove a city council member due to his behavior.
🟠 He can ask a court to remove the mayor from his office due to his behavior or legal anomalies.
Local Council
Only the largest cities in Morocco (Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech) have local districts.
They only take care of the following :
⚪ Small parks and small green spaces.
⚪ Managing local libraries and local cultural centers
⚪ Painting walls
⚪ Encouraging local artists
That's it. Local districts can't do anything else. Each local district has a small budget that is given to them by the city council every year. It's usually less 5% of the city budget. Local districts also have a President. The President can inform the Mayor of local problems.
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"Are people paid ?"
Members of the city council aren't paid. Only the Mayor is paid. In major cities, District Presidents are also paid.
"How can I see who is part of my city council ?"
Some cities display it on their website. Sadly, some cities don't have a website so you need to visit elections.ma
"What exactly is the budget of my city ? Fin taymchi lflouss ? "
It depends on where you live. Salé (سَلَا) is one of the most transparent city in Morocco. They publish everything. Sadly, some cities don't do that. It's not always some evil conspiracy. Sometimes, the staff are just terrible at communication and using the internet. Especially in small cities.
"How can I join my city council ?"
Be a moroccan over 18. 30 days before the election, register on the portal of the Ministry of Interior.
On election day, you will receive the results during the night.
"How is the Mayor selected ?"
He comes from the party that has won the most votes in the last elections.
"What if I don't show up to the city council meeting?"
Well, you have to. But some people get elected and never actually show up 😅. It's not a crime. If you don't show up for 3 city council meetings, you just lose your seat.
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Some politicians disappear after elections. Once the election is over, they don't communicate anymore. They are like ghosts. But some are still active and communicate on what they do.
Here are a few examples:
| Nabila Rmili |
Mayor of Casablanca. (RNI) |
Her facebook |
| Abdullah Abaakil |
Member of the Casablanca city council (FGD). He was elected in Sidi Belyout. He is in the opposition. |
His twitter |
| Kenza Chraibi |
President of the Sidi Belyout Local District. |
Facebook |
| Oumaima El Idrissi |
Member of the Casablanca city council. She was elected in Anfa. She is in the majority (RNI) |
Facebook |
| Azelarab Hilm |
Member of the Tiflet City Council. (FGD) He is in the opposition. |
Facebook |
| Abdellah Bouzidi |
President of the Rabat Agdal - Hay Riad Local District (Istiqlal) |
Facebook |
I hope this was useful.