Preliminary Results of the 2026 Legislative Elections
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit announced the preliminary results of the local and regional elections conducted on Wednesday, revealing that the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) has emerged as the frontrunner with a total of 97 seats. During a press conference held at the Ministry of the Interior late Wednesday night, Laftit elaborated on the standings of other parties, noting that the National Rally of Independents (RNI) followed in second place with 66 seats, closely trailed by the Istiqlal Party with 65 seats, and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) with 54 seats.
Furthermore, the Popular Movement secured 29 seats, while the Socialist Union of Popular Forces garnered 26 seats. The Progress and Socialism Party obtained 19 seats, and the Constitutional Union received 17 seats. The Democratic Social Movement and the Leftist Alliance both acquired 8 seats each, while the Democracy and Justice Front and the Justice Party each secured 2 seats. Lastly, the New Democrats and the Unity and Democracy Party each received 1 seat.
Voter Turnout and Election Conduct
Laftit highlighted that national voter turnout reached 38.08% of the total eligible voters, a decline from 50.86% in 2021 and 42.27% in 2016, indicating that approximately 6 million citizens participated in the election process on September 23. Notably, voter engagement was particularly high in the southern provinces, with turnout rates soaring to 77% in the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region, 53.48% in Guelmim-Oued Noun, and 61% in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region. This strong turnout underscores the commitment of citizens in these cherished regions to their Moroccan identity and their active involvement in various representative institutions.
Minister Laftit assured that the voting process across the nation was conducted in a normal and orderly fashion, aside from a few isolated incidents that did not affect the overall proceedings. This smooth execution was attributed to the comprehensive mobilization of various authorities and concerned entities, as well as the commitment of polling station members and cooperation among party representatives and candidates, all demonstrating a sense of responsibility and citizenship among voters.
Reflecting on the importance of this national exercise, Laftit stated that it marks a new phase in the democratic and institutional development of the country, providing yet another opportunity to affirm democratic choices and strengthen the role of elected institutions. He also noted that the preparation for this election was framed within a series of legislative and organizational reforms aimed at improving the quality of the electoral process, enhancing political ethics, and promoting transparency and fairness among various competitors, while encouraging the participation of women and youth and expanding their representation within the legislative body.
To ensure a sound electoral framework, public authorities have prioritized providing the necessary legal, judicial, and institutional guarantees for conducting the elections in a healthy political environment. This also included strict adherence to various legal provisions governing the electoral process. Laftit emphasized that, in implementation of the royal instructions from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Central Committee and regional and local committees were activated to oversee the election process and to take necessary measures to safeguard and respect electoral operations until the announcement of the results.
In terms of electoral integrity, these committees took immediate action against any violations related to the electoral process whenever sufficient information was available, initiating investigations or legal proceedings as necessary. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior worked to enhance cooperation and coordination with the National Human Rights Council by providing data and information regarding the electoral process, facilitating the work of observers. A total of 3,006 observers monitored the election, including 2,023 from civil society organizations, 783 from the National Human Rights Council, and 200 foreign observers representing NGOs and international organizations from Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East, showcasing Morocco's openness to international standards and democratic practices.
Moreover, the Minister of the Interior acknowledged significant efforts made to update the electoral rolls to ensure their accuracy and reliability, resulting in a final total of 15.8 million eligible voters. To facilitate access to polling stations, 40,694 voting offices were established, supported by approximately 3,931 central offices, averaging nearly 11 polling stations per central office. Political parties mobilized for the electoral competition, with 28 parties, including one coalition of two parties, submitting a total of 1,847 lists for local and regional electoral districts, which included 7,277 candidates—averaging over 18 candidates per seat.
Regarding female candidacies for the House of Representatives, the minister noted that there were 2,659 registered women candidates, representing nearly 37% of the total nominations, with 1,783 running in regional electoral districts and 876 in local districts, including 120 women as heads of local lists. This high level of participation reflects the vibrancy of the national political landscape and the commitment of various political entities to engage in the electoral process and compete for voter confidence. It also highlights the opportunities provided by the new legal framework to attract new competencies to political and representative work while simplifying the nomination process through a dedicated digital platform.
During the electoral campaign period, there was a remarkable political and communicative momentum, as political parties utilized public audiovisual communication channels under rules that upheld principles of fairness, plurality, and equal opportunities, enabling them to present their programs and connect with citizens. This media dynamism was complemented by an extensive ground campaign, with political entities undertaking almost 21,000 communication initiatives that attracted approximately 1.5 million participants, averaging 115,000 participants daily—figures unprecedented in past electoral cycles. Field visits were the most utilized strategy by candidates, drawing around 730,000 participants, followed by public rallies with approximately 407,000 attendees.
Laftit confirmed that these statistics illustrate the significant efforts made by political parties to present their programs and persuade voters through diverse promotional means, including distributing pamphlets, holding meetings, and leveraging written, electronic, and digital media platforms. He reaffirmed that all reported violations and complaints during this phase were handled legally, with those involving potential illegal acts referred to the relevant authorities, noting that isolated incidents did not affect the overall integrity of the electoral campaign or the electoral process as a whole.
The Minister of the Interior congratulated all candidates who earned the trust of voters and wished them success in fulfilling their representative duties and serving the public good. He also expressed appreciation to all citizens who participated in this democratic exercise and selected their representatives, as well as to all political parties and candidates, including those who were not successful, for their engagement in this democratic moment and their contributions to enriching public discourse and political plurality.
Lastly, Laftit commended the diligent work of judicial, territorial, and security authorities, polling station members, party representatives, electoral observers, and both public and private media who each played a role in ensuring the smooth conduct of this electoral process. He concluded that while electoral competition culminates in the announcement of results, the shared responsibility to serve the nation and its citizens continues and renews. Although elections produce winners based on voter trust, the true winner of this event remains Moroccan democracy, which has demonstrated vitality, maturity, and the ability to renew institutions within a framework of stability, plurality, and respect for the popular will.
As reported by maroc.ma.
