Traditional Crafts Chamber Elections in Fès-Meknes: Power Struggle and the Specter of Vote Buying

The elections for the Traditional Crafts Chamber in the Fès-Meknes region were postponed due to lack of quorum, amid a controversial competition between two main candidates: Abdelmalek Bouteini and Naji Fakhari.

Bouteini, a former president previously dismissed due to lacking primary education, returns to compete after completing his educational certification. Meanwhile, Fakhari – a former chamber president between 2009 and 2015 – seeks to return to the position.

The elections are marked by significant controversy surrounding “vote buying”, with sources indicating corrupt practices ranging from selling votes at low prices to smaller voters and receiving substantial amounts by larger voters.

Traditional craftsmen appealed to the regional governor, Maad El Jamai, to intervene and ensure the electoral process’s integrity, expressing concerns about these practices’ impact on the sector’s future.

Many are questioning: Will the upcoming elections produce leadership genuinely concerned with traditional craftsmen’s interests, or will the “vote buying” game continue?

These elections are considered a decisive moment in the chamber’s history, with everyone eagerly awaiting the results.

About محمد الفاسي