PJD's Preliminary Claim of Electoral Success in Key Moroccan Cities

On the evening of September 23, 2026, Abdelali Hamieddine, a prominent member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and spokesperson for the party's central electoral campaign, announced that preliminary reports indicated the PJD's strong position in several major cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, and Agadir. According to Hamieddine, the party is reportedly leading with a significant margin over its competitors based on data collected from their own ground reports. This assertion reflects a potential resurgence for the PJD, which had faced considerable setbacks in the previous 2021 elections.

The Complex Nature of Electoral Outcomes in Morocco

While the initial results suggest a favorable outcome for the PJD, it is crucial to understand that the number of votes does not automatically translate into the same number of parliamentary seats. The Moroccan electoral system employs a proportional representation method based on the highest averages, which is applied at the local electoral district level rather than at the city level. This means that a major city may encompass multiple electoral districts, each with its own seat distribution. Consequently, a party may secure the highest overall vote count but not necessarily dominate every district, allowing locally established competitors to win seats despite a lower total vote count.

The PJD's previous electoral performance was dismal, with the party losing almost all its seats in the 2021 elections, leading to a significant leadership shakeup. Under the current leadership of Abdelilah Benkirane, the PJD is campaigning vigorously, focusing on issues such as corruption under the guidance of vice-secretary general Driss El Azami El Idrissi. This strategic pivot is crucial as the party seeks to reclaim its political standing and navigate the complexities of Moroccan electoral dynamics, particularly in light of the anticipated final results, which will be officially announced by the Ministry of Interior following the verification process conducted by judicial authorities.

As reported by atlasinfo.fr.