Morocco's Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced the official preliminary results of the parliamentary elections held the previous day at a press conference in the capital Rabat. The Authenticity and Modernity Party finished first, winning 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
The National Rally of Independents came second with 66 seats, followed by the Istiqlal Party with 65. The Justice and Development Party ranked fourth with 54 seats.
Distribution of seats among the parties
The Popular Movement won 29 seats, the Socialist Union 26, the Party of Progress and Socialism 19, the Constitutional Union 17 and the Left Federation 8. The Social Democratic Movement won 8 seats, while the Democratic Forces Front secured 2.
The Equity Party won 2 seats, while the New Democrats Party and the Union and Democracy Party each won one seat.
Turnout announced at 38.02 percent
According to information provided by Laftit, voter turnout nationwide was 38.02 percent. Voting proceeded normally in different regions, apart from some isolated incidents that did not affect the electoral process.
Turnout in Morocco's previous parliamentary elections, held on September 8, 2021, was recorded at 50.18 percent. A total of 3,206 observers monitored these elections, including 200 foreign observers.
Official data showed that 15,801,162 voters were registered. Twenty-eight political parties contested the 395 seats in the House of Representatives with 1,850 lists. A total of 7,288 candidates, including 2,658 women, took part in the elections.
Coalition talks expected to form government
Under Article 47 of Morocco's Constitution, the king appoints the leader of the political party that comes first in House of Representatives elections to form the government. Government members are also appointed on the prime minister's recommendation.
At least 198 lawmakers in the House of Representatives must support the formation of the new government. Political parties are therefore expected to begin coalition talks after the results are announced.
The new government is expected to address political, economic and social issues, as well as projects linked to Morocco's preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
RNI finished first in 2021
The National Rally of Independents finished first in Morocco's 2021 parliamentary elections with 102 seats. The Authenticity and Modernity Party won 86 seats, while the Istiqlal Party secured 81.
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch had headed the coalition government led by the National Rally of Independents. The Authenticity and Modernity Party and the Istiqlal Party had also been part of the coalition.
