The ongoing debate regarding the retention of GMT+1 in Morocco has taken a significant turn in 2026, particularly following the Ramadan period. Traditionally, public discontent has manifested primarily through social media channels; however, this year marks the emergence of a structured legal challenge to the current timekeeping system, spearheaded by citizens advocating for a return to GMT. This movement is characterized by its formal organization under Law 70.21 and the Eparticipation portal, establishing stringent requirements for any petition, which transcend the mere collection of online signatures.
As of April 3, 2026, the initiators of an online petition have reported gathering nearly 338,000 signatures, as highlighted during a press conference held by a newly formed "citizen commission". This group seeks to convert the digital momentum into a legally compliant initiative, thereby adhering to the existing legal framework governing petitions in Morocco. However, a crucial question arises: does this petition genuinely satisfy the legal prerequisites stipulated in Moroccan law?
Understanding the Legal Landscape
Since the adoption of GMT+1 in 2018, the discussion surrounding its continuation has resurfaced cyclically, especially during the return to GMT for Ramadan. Members of the citizen commission have expressed concerns regarding the inconsistency in time management, encapsulated in the statement: "We have the month of Ramadan, then the rest of the year." They also cite various medical, social, and educational impacts linked to this time change, reinforcing the need for a reassessment of the current timekeeping system.
In response, the organizers have meticulously structured their approach, appointing coordinators across all twelve regions of the Kingdom and engaging with residents in popular neighborhoods. The inclusion of expatriate Moroccans in this mobilization is also planned, with the goal of amassing the required number of signatures to file an official petition with the relevant authorities. While the organizers aim for 5,000 signatures, the latest legal stipulations only require a minimum of 4,000 signatures.
It is essential to clarify that the applicable legal framework has evolved; the previous Organic Law No. 44.14 has been amended and supplemented by Law No. 70.21. This new legislation introduces significant changes, particularly concerning the digitization and simplification of petition procedures. Enacted and published in the Official Bulletin in 2021, this law explicitly allows for petitions to be submitted electronically, eliminating the necessity for paper documentation, provided that the official Eparticipation platform is utilized.
Streamlined Petition Process
The definition of a petition under this new framework describes it as a written request from citizens, whether residing in Morocco or abroad, directed towards a public authority—such as the Prime Minister or the heads of both parliamentary chambers—to propose measures or recommendations. The preparation of a petition must follow precise rules. Petitioners are required to form a presentation committee consisting of at least five members, a reduction from the previous requirement of nine. Among them, a representative is selected to lead the initiative, supported by an alternate.
This representative must establish an account on the Eparticipation portal, verify the petition's admissibility criteria, and provide all pertinent details regarding the petition, including its purpose, textual content, explanatory notes, and the relevant authority. Signatures can be collected electronically through the tools available on the platform.
Once this initial phase is completed, the petition is opened for signature collection, which must adhere to strict criteria. Each signatory is required to submit their national identity card number and its expiration date. Significantly, the reform introduced by Law 70.21 has streamlined this process by removing the previous requirement to provide a copy of the national identity card.
To be deemed admissible, a petition must reach a threshold of 4,000 signatures, as outlined in Article 6 of the current law. Upon meeting this requirement, the petition may be submitted to the competent authority for review. Furthermore, the processing of the petition follows a regulated timeline. A decree passed in November 2023 stipulates that the Petition Commission now has 60 days, up from 30, to assess the petition and provide feedback to the Prime Minister. This extension allows for a more thorough evaluation of both the procedural and substantive aspects of the petition.
Despite the potential of the Eparticipation portal to ensure transparent tracking of petitions—whether currently collecting signatures, submitted for review, or in the process of being evaluated—the practical utilization of this participatory tool remains limited. To date, only thirteen petitions have been launched through the platform, with two initiated in April 2026 focusing on the necessity for municipalities to possess official email addresses and the protection of vulnerable individuals in inheritance cases, garnering only 25 and 40 signatures respectively. Since 2018, ten petitions have been directed to the Prime Minister, with only one surpassing 40,000 signatures, and merely three being deemed admissible, with only one successfully filed with the administration.
In this context, the mobilization for a return to GMT could serve as a crucial test of the efficacy of the right to petition in Morocco. However, for this initiative to succeed, its leaders must transition from a massive yet informal mobilization to a legally structured and admissible approach.
As reported by medias24.com.
