Overview of the 2026 Legislative Elections Results
On September 24, 2026, Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, announced the preliminary results of the local and regional electoral votes from the legislative elections held on Wednesday, revealing that the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has emerged as the frontrunner, securing 97 seats. During a press conference at the Ministry of the Interior, Laftit stated that the National Rally of Independents (RNI) followed closely in second place with 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party came in third with 65 seats, and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) secured 54 seats.
In the distribution of seats, the Popular Movement Party (MP) obtained 29 seats, followed by the Socialist Union of Popular Forces with 26 seats, and the Progress and Socialism Party with 19 seats. The Constitutional Union secured 17 seats, while both the Democratic Social Movement and the Left Alliance each garnered 8 seats. Furthermore, the Democratic Forces Front and the Justice Party each received 2 seats, and the New Democrats and Unity and Democracy Party received 1 seat each.
Voter Participation and Election Integrity
Laftit highlighted that the national voter turnout reached 38.08%, a decrease from 50.86% in 2021 and 42.27% in 2016, with nearly 6 million voters participating. Notably, the southern regions displayed robust participation, with turnout rates hitting 77% in the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, 53.48% in Guelmim-Oued Noun, and 61% in Dakhla-Oued Edahab. This enthusiastic engagement underscores the citizens' commitment to their representation and their national identity.
The voting process across the country was described as smooth and orderly, save for isolated incidents that did not disrupt the overall flow of the elections, attributed to the comprehensive mobilization of relevant authorities and the cooperation of voting committee members, party representatives, and voters, who demonstrated a strong sense of civic responsibility. Laftit stressed that these elections marked another significant step in Morocco's democratic and institutional development, providing an opportunity to reinforce democratic choices and enhance the role of elected institutions. The preparation for these elections was set against a backdrop of various legislative and organizational reforms aimed at improving the electoral process's quality, ensuring political integrity, and promoting equal opportunities among competitors, in addition to encouraging the participation of women and youth in legislative bodies.
In alignment with the royal directives from King Mohammed VI regarding the safety of the legislative elections, the central committee and regional and provincial committees were activated to oversee the electoral process and ensure compliance with legal standards. These committees were tasked with promptly addressing any electoral violations and initiating legal action when necessary. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Interior collaborated with the National Human Rights Council to facilitate the work of observers by providing relevant data about the electoral process. A total of 3,006 observers covered the elections, including 2,023 from civil society organizations, 783 from the National Human Rights Council, and 200 foreign observers representing various international and regional NGOs, reflecting Morocco's openness to international practices in democratic governance.
Reinforcing the importance of accurate electoral rolls for fair elections, Laftit stated that considerable efforts were made to update and validate the current voter lists, resulting in a total of 15.8 million registered voters. To enhance accessibility, 40,694 polling stations were established, supported by approximately 3,931 central offices, averaging nearly 11 polling stations per central office.
A total of 28 political parties, including one alliance of two parties, presented 1,847 lists for the local and regional electoral districts, encompassing 7,277 candidates, averaging over 18 candidates for each seat. Notably, female candidates accounted for 2,659 nominations, representing about 37% of all candidacies, with 1,783 in regional districts and 876 in local districts, including 120 women running as list heads.
This level of participation reflects the vibrant nature of Morocco's political landscape and the commitment of various political entities to engage in the electoral process. It also highlights the opportunities provided by the new legal framework to attract new talents into the political sphere and simplify the nomination process through a dedicated digital platform. The election campaign period was marked by significant political activity, facilitated by public media access under rules promoting fairness and plurality, allowing parties to present their programs and connect with citizens. A remarkable 21,000 communication initiatives were recorded during the campaign, attracting approximately 1.5 million participants, averaging 115,000 participants daily—a record-setting turnout compared to previous elections.
In conclusion, Minister Laftit expressed his congratulations to all candidates who earned voters' trust and wished them success in their representative duties. He also acknowledged the contributions of all citizens who fulfilled their national duty and participated in selecting their representatives, as well as the various political parties and candidates, including those who did not win, for their engagement in this democratic process. He praised the dedicated efforts made by judicial, territorial, and security authorities, electoral committee members, party representatives, and both public and private media in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections. Laftit concluded by asserting that while electoral competition culminates in the announcement of results, the shared responsibility to serve the nation and its citizens is ongoing, emphasizing that the true winner in this electoral cycle remains Moroccan democracy, showcasing its vitality, maturity, and capacity for institutional renewal within a framework of stability and respect for popular will.
As reported by maroc.ma.
