Vote counting began across Morocco on Wednesday after polls closed in parliamentary elections to choose the 395 members of the House of Representatives, with preliminary results expected early Thursday.
More than 15.8 million people were registered to vote in the September 23 election, with 28 political parties contesting 395 parliamentary seats. A total of 7,288 candidates stood on 1,850 lists nationwide, including 2,658 women.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. GMT and closed at 7 p.m. The Interior Ministry said turnout had reached 28.05% by 5 p.m., adding that voting had proceeded under normal conditions. A final turnout figure had yet to be announced.
The 2021 parliamentary election recorded turnout of 50.18%.
More than 3,200 observers monitored Wednesday’s voting, including around 200 foreign observers, according to official figures.
Morocco’s Interior Ministry is expected to announce preliminary results in the early hours of Thursday.
Under Article 47 of the Moroccan Constitution, King Mohammed VI appoints the head of government from the political party that finishes first in elections to the House of Representatives. Government ministers are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the head of government.
A party or coalition requires at least 198 seats to control a majority in the 395-member chamber.
In the 2021 elections, the National Rally of Independents, or RNI, emerged as the largest party with 102 seats. The Authenticity and Modernity Party secured 86 seats, while the Istiqlal Party won 81.
RNI leader Aziz Akhannouch subsequently formed a coalition government with the Authenticity and Modernity Party and Istiqlal.
The incoming government will take office as Morocco tackles economic and social pressures while accelerating major infrastructure and development projects ahead of its role as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
