Moroccan Parliamentary Elections: Polls Close and Vote Counting Begins

Overview of the Moroccan Parliamentary Elections

The polling stations for the Moroccan parliamentary elections closed on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT, marking the commencement of the vote counting process. Voters had the opportunity to cast their votes starting from 08:00 GMT, with the voting period extending until the designated closing time, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

According to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, the national voter turnout for the House of Representatives elections (the lower house of parliament) reached 28.05 percent by 17:00 GMT. The ministry noted that the voting process unfolded under "ordinary conditions," reflecting a smooth electoral experience.

Election Participation and Results

In the previous parliamentary elections held on September 8, 2021, the final voter turnout was recorded at 50.18 percent. This year, a total of 3,206 observers, including 200 international monitors, were engaged in overseeing the electoral process. Official data reveals that there are 15,801,162 registered voters on the electoral rolls.

Twenty-eight political parties are vying for representation through 1,850 lists, featuring 7,288 candidates, among whom 2,658 are women, competing for 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The Ministry of Interior is expected to announce the preliminary election results in the early hours of Thursday.

Under Article 47 of the Moroccan Constitution, the King appoints the Prime Minister from the political party that secures the highest number of votes in the House of Representatives elections. Additionally, the Prime Minister proposes the other members of the government. Achieving a majority in the House of Representatives requires at least 198 seats, which opens the door for negotiations to form a governmental majority once the results are declared.

The incoming government will face a range of political, economic, and social issues, along with projects linked to Morocco's preparations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. In the 2021 elections, the "National Rally of Independents" party emerged victorious with 102 seats, followed by the "Authenticity and Modernity" party with 86 seats, and the "Istiqlal" party with 81 seats. The current government is led by Aziz Akhannouch, the leader of the "National Rally of Independents," within a coalition that also includes the "Authenticity and Modernity" and "Istiqlal" parties.

As reported by aa.com.tr.