Overview
- The election, which took place Wednesday, September 23, 2026, mobilized about 15.8 million registered voters to choose 395 members of the Chamber of Representatives.
- Campaigns were muted with few public displays and heavy focus on cost of living, unemployment and unequal services, making youth turnout the central measure of the vote’s legitimacy.
- The Rassemblement national des indépendants (RNI) and the Parti authenticité et modernité (PAM) were seen as leading contenders even as PAM’s reputation was harmed by June criminal convictions and Akhannouch faced recurring conflict-of-interest accusations linked to his company Afriquia.
- Under the 2011 constitution the king formally appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest share of seats, and the winner will then have to negotiate a coalition and propose ministers for royal approval.
- Preliminary results were expected late on voting day and the immediate consequences for everyday Moroccans include possible changes to social aid, job programs and services for young people while observers watch for whether low turnout forces sharper political or policy shifts.