Morocco's Legislative Elections: A Lackluster Turnout Among Young Voters

On September 23, 2026, Morocco witnessed the closing of polling stations as nearly 16 million voters were called to elect 395 representatives for the House of Representatives. This election comes in the wake of a significant youth protest movement, and the participation of young voters is under intense scrutiny, showing signs of unusually low engagement.

As reported by the Ministry of Interior, the national voter turnout was recorded at 28.05% by 5 PM local time. While exact figures for the 2021 elections at the same hour are unavailable for direct comparison, it is noted that participation at midday during the previous elections was below 12%, indicating a slight decrease in interest compared to the last election cycle.

At a polling station in Casablanca, the demographics of voters reveal a striking trend. An elderly woman is pushed in a wheelchair by her son, a man in his fifties who expresses a strong sense of duty to vote, stating, "We must vote to help our country. This is our home, and we must all serve it." However, the absence of voters under thirty years old is glaringly noticeable in this predominantly young neighborhood.

Sarah, a waitress, walks past the polling station without a moment's glance, articulating her disillusionment: "I feel it’s pointless. During the campaign, parties offer us 20 euros to help distribute flyers, but once the elections are over, they are never there when you need something." This sentiment underscores a deepening crisis of trust between the youth and the political class, particularly in the aftermath of the GenZ 212 protest movement.

Nonetheless, there are still voices of hope among the youth. Mohammed, 36, expresses optimism about the emergence of younger candidates in various political parties. He believes that these candidates can better relate to younger constituents, a dynamic that was previously absent in Moroccan politics. "For all Moroccan parties, there are now young candidates. That genuinely motivates me because young people understand young people. This is something we didn’t have before," he reflects.

Reconnecting with the youth is a critical challenge for the coalition that emerges from these elections, as the social unrest remains palpable among younger demographics. The need for political engagement and responsiveness to the concerns of youth is more pressing than ever, representing a pivotal moment for Morocco's democratic process.

As reported by rfi.fr.