The local authorities across several regions including Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and Marrakech-Safi have initiated administrative investigations following directives from the central services of the Ministry of Interior. This action was triggered by reports highlighting the resurgence of activities related to the distribution of "Ramadan baskets" by local elected officials, particularly in suburban areas.
According to consistent data, these investigations were prompted by urgent reports submitted by the departments of internal affairs to regional authorities, which noted an increase in initiatives to distribute food aid overseen by influential local politicians during the month of Ramadan. Initial findings suggest that certain current and former heads of municipalities and council members may be exploiting these initiatives to achieve political and electoral gains, taking advantage of the vulnerable social conditions faced by large segments of the population.
Moreover, the investigations have also focused on the case of the wife of a newly elected mayor in the Berrechid region, who took office after the suspension and dismissal of his predecessor. It is suspected that she coordinated the distribution of Ramadan baskets in areas that are believed to represent potential electoral strongholds for her husband. Reports indicate that these distribution efforts were sometimes conducted using sports halls and venues, some of which are owned by the mayor himself, to distribute aid to recipients. In contrast, other elected officials opted to channel these initiatives through local associations allied with them to avoid direct involvement in charitable activities.
Administrative reports have recorded noticeable activities from associations known for their proximity to certain elected officials and political factions in some major cities, particularly Casablanca. These associations reportedly utilized closed commercial premises within modern residential complexes as storage and distribution centers for Ramadan baskets, attributing the efforts to well-known political figures in a bid to prepare for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for this year.
In a related context, several governors have intervened to halt attempts by some elected councils to include financial allocations related to "Ramadan baskets" under unclear budget items for 2026, labeling them as assistance for disadvantaged groups or support for individuals in difficult social situations. It has been observed that some councils maintained the same amounts or even increased them while changing the names of the listed items. This strategy appears aimed at circumventing the potential rejection of these expenses by regional authorities, which have recently adopted a stricter stance towards suspicious or inflated expenditures, particularly those associated with supporting associations that might be exploited for electoral purposes.
Furthermore, these reports have pointed to allegations of pressure being exerted on major investors and contractors with ties to municipalities to contribute to financing the food aid distributed during Ramadan. According to complaints received by regional authorities, some real estate developers have reported facing intimidation regarding fees associated with the temporary occupation of public land or undeveloped urban areas after refusing to fund these initiatives, which are suspected of being utilized for political and electoral ends.
As reported by maghrebtimes.ma.
