Rabat – All eyes are on the voter turnout, with political leaders focused on what the ballots will decide tonight after voting ends at 7 p.m. Moroccan time, wrapping up Morocco’s legislative elections.
Political parties’ leaders also made their way to polling stations to cast their votes, and their press remarks echo a consensus, carrying hope to secure more votes and lead the next government coalition.
Abdelilah Benkirane, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), said before the vote that Moroccans “should stand up and say ‘we want seriousness’ from those who manage public affairs and those who reach parliament and government, so that the country can hold its head high.”
He made his speech at a campaign rally in Temara on Tuesday. Benkirane said that while Morocco has a monarchy that guarantees stability, the people “must fully enjoy their constitutional rights,” adding that there is a group that “wants to control the people and do whatever it wants with them and their money.
He explicitly directed fingers at the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which he said are not fit to govern as they “lack the principle of justice and fairness.”
RNI and PAM make up the current coalition that formed a government alongside Al Istiqlal following the 2021 elections, in which PJD failed to secure enough votes and seats.
PJD, however, is determined that these elections could bring a different fate for the political party, which won elections from 2011 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2021, when the party won the highest number of seats.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, coordinator of the collective leadership of PAM, also cast her vote this morning in Marrakech, with the party participating in the elections with 92 lists comprising 305 male and female candidates in local electoral districts as well as 12 lists with 90 female candidates in regional electoral districts.
Many believe PAM will lead this year’s polls, especially after Minister of Budget Fouzi Lekjaa’s decision to join the party ahead of elections. Several reports believe Lekjaa will be the next head of government. Lekjaa, who is the president of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), however, said recently that he never thought of himself as a head of government.
Calls for reform-focused government
For his part, Nizar Baraka, Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party, expressed hope today that the legislative elections would lead to the formation of a government capable of carrying out the necessary reforms in the service of citizens.
Following casting his vote in Rabat today, Baraka described the elections as crucial and important in consolidating the democratic process, particularly as one of their objectives is to increase turnout and bring about a government with sufficient capacity to carry out the necessary reforms in the interests of citizens.
Secretary General of the Popular Movement Party, Mohamed Ouzzine, said casting a vote represents a genuine expression of active citizenship and responsibility.
He echoed other political leaders’ remarks that the electoral process is taking place in an atmosphere marked by calm. He said his party will accept the results as an expression of the free will of citizens, which everyone must respect and respond to.
The leader of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, Driss Lachgar, called on Moroccans to turn out in large numbers to vote, stating that participating in elections is a national duty and everyone is called upon to take part.
“It is necessary to raise awareness among relatives, families, neighbours, and friends about the importance of fulfilling this duty with dedication,” Lachgar said.
RNI’s leader Mohamed Chouki said today that voters will distinguish in the elections between the programs and candidates who offer the best commitment for the 2026-2031 period.
He said the elections provide candidates with an opportunity to present their electoral programs and commitments for the upcoming period.
Now, after the electoral turnout is determined following the vote, which ends at 7, King Mohammed VI will appoint a head of government from the party that secured the majority or most of the seats in the House of Representatives.
The appointment comes a few days after the vote. Then, a week later, the head of government announces his cabinet members ahead of the opening of the legislative year, in the second week of October. The legislative year traditionally opens on October 13, when King Mohammed VI gives a speech addressed to political parties and government officials.
Election turnout reached 21% as of 3 p.m. today.
