PAM Emerges Victorious in 2026 Elections
The Moroccan Interior Ministry has officially announced the outcome of the 2026 legislative elections, revealing that the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has claimed a significant lead by securing 97 seats in the parliament. Following closely is the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party has obtained 65 seats, marking a competitive electoral landscape. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) trailed behind in fourth place with 54 seats, indicating a shift in voter preferences across the nation.
In terms of voter engagement, the Interior Ministry reported an overall turnout rate of 38% across Morocco, highlighting that the electoral process proceeded smoothly, with only a few minor incidents reported at polling stations. Approximately 15.8 million voters were registered for this election cycle, with 28 political parties participating, including a unique alliance that brought together two parties. Out of those registered, around 6 million voters actively cast their ballots, demonstrating a robust engagement from the electorate.
Election Details and Gender Representation
The elections saw a total of 1,847 candidate lists submitted, with an average of over 18 candidacies vying for each available seat. Notably, the representation of women in the elections was commendable, with women accounting for 2,659 of all candidacies, translating to approximately 37%. Among these, 1,783 women contested in regional constituencies, and 876 in local constituencies, with 120 women leading local candidate lists. This participation reflects a growing commitment to gender representation within Morocco's political sphere.
According to the detailed breakdown provided by the Interior Ministry, the distribution of seats among the various parties is as follows: PAM leads with 97 seats, followed by RNI with 66 seats, Istiqlal Party with 65, PJD with 54, Popular Movement Party with 29, Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) with 26, Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) with 19, Constitutional Union Party with 17, and several other parties securing lesser numbers of seats. The Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, emphasized that the authorities implemented all necessary measures to ensure the electoral process's success and adherence to legal standards, fostering a conducive environment for free and fair elections.
Laftit further highlighted encouraging turnout figures in southern provinces, with Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra witnessing a remarkable 77% turnout, Guelmim-Oued Noun at 53.48%, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab at 61%. These statistics underscore the strong sense of civic duty among the populations in these regions and their commitment to Morocco's territorial integrity. The Interior Ministry activated monitoring committees to oversee the elections, ensuring transparency and preventing any potential disruptions. A total of 3,006 observers, including representatives from the international community and various NGOs, monitored the electoral process to maintain its integrity. Laftit reassured that all complaints were addressed promptly and that no significant issues arose to disrupt the political proceedings.
In conclusion, the elections were conducted without major incidents, and Laftit commended the political parties for their responsible conduct throughout the process. Looking ahead, the next crucial step will involve King Mohammed VI appointing a Head of Government from PAM, as the party will embark on forming a new government to address the nation's needs and priorities moving forward.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
