Morocco elects its parliament.. 27 parties compete for 395 seats

Moroccan voters head to the polls to elect the House of Representatives in a legislative election involving 27 parties competing for 395 seats, with about 15.8 million registered voters. Strong female participation is evident with 2,658 female candidates, and the process includes mechanisms to support youth participation. The Public Prosecution reported a decline in electoral complaints compared to 2021, with new violations linked to the digital space.

Moroccan voters head to polling stations across the country on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, to elect members of the House of Representatives, the first chamber of parliament, in the twelfth legislative election since Morocco's independence. Twenty-seven parties are competing for 395 seats, with 15,801,162 registered voters, 54% men and 46% women, 55% residing in urban areas and 45% in rural areas. The electoral quotient is calculated based on the number of registered voters in each constituency, before seats are distributed according to the "largest remainder" method. Preliminary results are expected to start appearing from Thursday, September 24. Women's participation is strong, with 2,658 female candidates, about 36.5% of all candidates. Regional constituencies account for 90 seats, about 23% of the total, with women retaining the right to run in local constituencies. The electoral system aims to boost youth participation by increasing financial support for seats won by candidates under 35 to six times the standard amount. Public Prosecution data shows a notable decline in electoral complaints compared to the 2021 election, with 93 complaints recorded between August 21 and September 15, 2026, 92% of which were processed, compared to 229 complaints in the same period of the 2021 elections. New legal amendments have led to emerging patterns of violations related to the digital space, including spreading false news with intent to defame, using artificial intelligence, editing images or statements of individuals without consent, and paid political advertisements on foreign websites. Twenty-two complaints were related to acts on social networks. Moroccans residing abroad, numbering about six million, do not vote directly but vote through a proxy inside Morocco via the electronic proxy platform "E-Procuration." After the results, the king appoints the head of government from the leading party, and the government needs an absolute majority of at least 198 deputies to gain confidence.