Judicial Representatives Elected in Morocco
In a significant development for Morocco's judiciary, judges elected their representatives to the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power on Saturday, achieving an impressive voter turnout of 94.9%. This election is a crucial step in ensuring the representation of judges from various courts across the nation, reflecting the commitment to judicial independence and excellence in governance.
The Supreme Council of the Judicial Power, in its statement, confirmed that the polling station committees had successfully completed the counting and tallying of the votes. Among the newly elected representatives from the courts of appeal, Hicham Bahar emerged as a leading figure, securing 631 votes, followed closely by Abderrazak Jebbari with 590 votes, Mustapha Ait Aissa with 449 votes, and Imane Msaad with 310 votes.
Furthermore, the elections for judges representing the courts of first instance yielded notable results, with Abderrahmane Sebai receiving the highest number of votes at 1,549. Other elected representatives included Hicham Hadri with 1,135 votes, Samir Ait Arjdal with 827 votes, and several others, showcasing a diverse array of judicial voices.
The elections followed King Mohammed VI's decision in June to extend the term of Mohamed Abdennabaoui as the First President of the Court of Cassation and Delegate President of the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power. Additionally, the King appointed Latifa El Harradji and Nadir El Moumni as new members of the council, both of whom took their constitutional oaths before the monarch during a formal audience.
In a further demonstration of his commitment to strengthening judicial governance, the King also named Farid El Bacha and renewed the mandates of Mohamed Zouak and Mohamed Ennasser for their second terms. These appointments, which fall under the category of distinguished personalities, highlight the monarch's direct prerogative as outlined in the constitution.
According to Article 107 of Morocco's 2011 constitution, the King serves as the guarantor of judicial independence, while Article 115 stipulates that he presides over the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power. This council plays a pivotal role in managing the professional careers of magistrates, overseeing judicial governance, and providing opinions on matters pertinent to the justice system. The recent elections and appointments are indicative of Morocco's ongoing efforts to bolster its judicial framework and uphold the rule of law.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
