Istiqlal Party's Strategic Candidate Selection for Upcoming Elections

The Istiqlal Party has revealed its list of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2026, focusing heavily on the crucial Rabat-Salé constituency. This announcement comes as part of the party's ongoing efforts to enhance its electoral strategy by selecting prominent figures who are expected to sway public opinion in favor of the Istiqlal. According to reports, the executive committee of the party approved the candidates during a meeting held earlier this month, as highlighted in the local newspaper, Al Akhbar.

For the strategically significant Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, the party has chosen Abdelaziz Darouich to lead the list in the Rabat-Chellah constituency and Driss Sentissi for the Salé-Ville constituency. Both candidates are well-known within the region, and the Istiqlal Party is optimistic that their candidacies will significantly bolster their chances against competitors who are also fielding strong candidates. The Rabat-Salé constituency holds substantial political and electoral weight, making it a focal point of competition among major political entities. With Darouich and Sentissi at the forefront, the Istiqlal Party aims not only to maintain its presence in this vital region but also to strengthen it further.

Wider Implications of Candidate Selection

This recent announcement of candidates extends beyond just the Rabat-Salé area, as the Istiqlal Party has also made selections for various other constituencies across the country. Notably, Mohamed El Hamoudani will represent the party in El Hoceima for the Tanger-Tétouan-El Hoceïma region, while Mohammadi Touh Touh will head the list in Nador for the Oriental region. Additionally, Lahcen Selighout has been designated as the leader in Fès-Nord, with other candidates set for Meknès, Taounate, and Azilal-Demnate, among others. However, it is worth noting that this latest wave of candidates lacks female representation, which raises concerns as the party approaches the deadline for finalizing its candidate lists for most electoral districts across the Kingdom. The Istiqlal has been struggling to solidify its candidate lists in the southern provinces, especially after a significant number of its elected officials shifted allegiance to the PAM party.

As reported by fr.le360.ma.