The Justice and Development Party (PJD) in Morocco has announced its intention to continue playing a significant role in the country's politics as a responsible and strong national opposition. This decision was made during an extraordinary meeting led by the party's Secretary General, Abdelilah Benkirane, on September 24, 2026. The party achieved a notable success in the legislative elections held on September 23, 2026, securing 54 parliamentary seats.
According to the party's general secretariat, the PJD was able to multiply its number of seats by more than four times compared to the 2021 elections. The party's performance was particularly notable in major and medium-sized cities where it regained its popular support. Additionally, the PJD won seats in rural constituencies, and most of its members running for office secured their seats with a significant lead over their competitors.
The PJD expressed satisfaction with its election results, attributing its success to the party's strong activism and its dignified electoral campaign. However, the party also voiced disappointment over the low voter turnout, which it described as the lowest since 2007. The PJD attributed this low turnout to what it termed as the "marginalization of political work, the weak performance of the government, and party-politicized practices."
The PJD criticized the current electoral system, including the regional list system and the removal of the electoral threshold, which it claims prevented the party from gaining more seats in several constituencies such as Temara, Salé, Meknes, Tangier, and Fez. The party's leadership pointed out organizational irregularities, particularly the large number of polling stations, which they claim caused difficulties.
In response to these challenges, the PJD announced that it will refer the matter to the judiciary against the heads of polling stations who refused to provide representatives of the party lists with copies of the minutes. The party is determined to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and to hold accountable those responsible for any irregularities.
The PJD plans to hold an extraordinary session of its national council to finalize its decision regarding the election results. This session aims to chart the party's future course and strategies as a responsible opposition. The party seeks to play a constructive role in Moroccan politics while upholding its principles and commitments to its supporters.
Moving forward, the PJD is expected to focus on strengthening its internal structures and enhancing its presence in various regions across Morocco. By doing so, the party aims to consolidate its position as a major political force in the country, capable of contributing effectively to the national dialogue and policy-making processes.
Key points
- The PJD secured 54 parliamentary seats in the recent legislative elections.
- The party criticized the low voter turnout and the current electoral system.
- The PJD will pursue legal action against polling station heads who refused to provide party representatives with electoral documents.
