New electoral rules target fake news, unauthorized image use, and privacy breaches with prison sentences and fines.
Morocco's electoral system has introduced new rules to criminalize practices that undermine national votes, affecting all 395 seats in the Lower House. These provisions specifically target the use of digital technologies to spread personal statements or images without consent, as well as to publish or share fake news, false allegations, or falsified documents. The aim is to protect voters and candidates from privacy breaches and defamation, and to prevent rumors that cast doubt on election credibility.
Penalties under the new Article 51-bis range from two to five years in prison and a fine of MAD 50,000 to 100,000, with severity dependent on the act. These measures address the rise of cybercrime, privacy violations, digital blackmail, and the spread of rumors, driven by advancements in digital technologies and AI. The law seeks to deter misleading digital campaigns and protect the democratic process from manipulation.
The new provisions aim to balance constitutional freedom of speech with online legal responsibility, safeguarding voters' and candidates' privacy. They require proof of intent to harm or unlawfully influence the electoral process, excluding cases where such intent is not established. The measures are expected to bolster citizen confidence in election transparency and deter harmful digital practices.
Why it mattersVoters and candidates are directly affected by new laws that criminalize the misuse of digital technologies to spread false information or violate privacy during elections.
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