Hassan Belmakdem, the candidate representing the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), has decisively won the legislative elections in the Moulay Yacoub constituency, affirming his party's prominent position in the electoral landscape of the region. With a remarkable tally of 11,685 votes, Belmakdem secured a clear lead over his closest rival, Hassan Chahbi of the Independence Party, who garnered 8,583 votes, marking a significant margin of 3,102 votes. The final results reveal that Belmakdem not only maintained PAM's stronghold in this two-seat constituency but also outperformed his competitors by a significant percentage, obtaining 35.65% of the votes compared to 26.18% for the Independence Party. This outcome ensures that PAM retains one seat while the second seat shifts to the Independence Party.
Belmakdem's return to the House of Representatives carries special significance, as he previously led PAM's list in the 2021 elections, where he topped the constituency with 18,296 votes, resulting in PAM securing the first seat at that time, while the second seat was claimed by the National Rally of Independents (RNI).
Belmakdem's Clear Electoral Victory
The figures from the ballot boxes in Moulay Yacoub paint a vivid picture of the electoral contest; Hassan Belmakdem amassed 11,685 votes, while Hassan Chahbi managed 8,583 votes, illustrating a decisive difference of 3,102 votes. In percentage terms, PAM achieved 35.65%, leaving the Independence Party with 26.18%, effectively narrowing the contest for the two seats to these leading parties, while other lists fell significantly short of the threshold needed to compete for parliamentary representation.
Moulay Yacoub's unique characteristic of only offering two parliamentary seats heightens the importance of the gap between the first and second place candidates, as it directly influences the identity of the winners. The Independence Party, led by Chahbi, managed to secure the second seat after a strong performance, indicating a notable shift from the 2021 elections when the party had finished third.
A Shift in Political Dynamics
One of the most significant changes reflected in the results from Moulay Yacoub was the exit of the National Rally of Independents from the winners' circle. Previously, in the 2021 elections, RNI had secured the second seat with 14,228 votes, but this time they fell to third place with only 6,349 votes, representing 19.37%. This transition of the seat from RNI to the Independence Party marks a crucial shift in the electoral dynamics within the constituency.
Furthermore, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), historically significant in Moulay Yacoub, could not keep pace with the competitive landscape this election. PJD received 4,123 votes, or 12.58%, placing them fourth, far behind the leading parties. This result underscores the party's decline compared to previous elections; they had previously won the second seat in 2016 but suffered a drastic drop in 2021.
The final tally of votes within the constituency illustrates a clear distribution: PAM led with 11,685 votes (35.65%), securing the first seat, while the Independence Party followed with 8,583 votes (26.18%), obtaining the second seat. RNI came in third with 6,349 votes (19.37%), losing their previous seat, and PJD finished fourth with 4,123 votes (12.58%) without representation.
These results from Moulay Yacoub highlight the potential for significant shifts in the parliamentary landscape, particularly in constituencies with limited seats, where even a single party's or candidate's change in standing can lead to substantial electoral transformations. The elections not only reaffirmed PAM's leading position but also allowed the Independence Party to reclaim a foothold in the legislative assembly, while the National Rally of Independents and the Justice and Development Party saw their influence wane. The Ministry of Interior announced a national voter turnout of 38.02%, with nearly six million citizens participating in the electoral process.
As reported by fes24.com.
