Mayor of Tangier Arrested in Election Fraud Investigation
In a significant development regarding the recent legislative elections in Morocco, the mayor of Tangier has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into alleged electoral fraud. This action comes on the heels of the elections held on September 23, 2026, which were marked by an alarmingly low voter turnout of just 38.02%, the lowest in two decades, alongside accusations of ballot manipulation in the region.
Mounir Limouri, a member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who topped the ballot in the elections, was apprehended upon his arrival at Tangier airport from Spain. Judicial sources reported that he was placed in custody following a warrant for his arrest, as authorities sought to delve deeper into the claims of electoral fraud that have surfaced.
In addition to Limouri, five other individuals, including two officials responsible for overseeing voting operations at polling stations in Tangier, have also been detained as part of the ongoing investigations. The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior has announced the initiation of an administrative inquiry into these allegations, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the government's commitment to upholding electoral integrity.
Despite the election results favoring the ruling coalition, which saw PAM secure 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, the persistent accusations of electoral malpractice have raised questions about the legitimacy of the process. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which leads the outgoing coalition, finished in second place with 66 seats. In light of these developments, Morocco's King is expected to appoint a new Prime Minister from the PAM, with potential candidates like Fouzi Lekjaa, the current Minister Delegate for Budget, and Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the first female mayor of Marrakech and a national coordinator for PAM, being considered for the role.
As reported by information.tv5monde.com.
