Moroccans are heading to the polls today to elect 395 members of the House of Representatives. More than 15.8 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the country's 2026 legislative elections. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. The elections are taking place across around 40,700 polling stations nationwide. Official figures put the number of registered voters at 15,801,162.
The demographics of the electorate show that men account for 54% of registered voters, while women make up 46%. Additionally, 55% of voters reside in urban areas, and 45% live in rural areas. Voters will choose among 1,850 candidate lists covering local and regional constituencies, which include 7,288 candidates. This averages out to more than 18 candidates for each seat.
Women account for 2,658 of the candidates, and 227 sitting MPs are seeking re-election. The House of Representatives has 305 seats elected through local constituencies and another 90 seats through regional constituencies reserved exclusively for women. Morocco uses a direct universal suffrage system based on proportional representation and the largest remainder method.
The election campaign ran from September 10 through September 22, with parties focusing on issues such as purchasing power, employment, social protection, healthcare, education, water, local development, and investment. More than 3,000 accredited national observers are monitoring the election across Morocco's 12 regions. Nearly 200 observers from international and regional organizations and diplomatic bodies are also participating.
Representatives of candidate lists can monitor voting and counting and obtain copies of official polling records. Once polling stations close, officials will begin counting ballots. Initial results are expected to be released on Thursday, September 24. The results will determine the composition of the new House of Representatives and set the stage for negotiations over the next governing majority.
Under Article 47 of Morocco's Constitution, King Mohammed VI appoints the Head of Government from the political party that comes first in the House elections. In the 2021 elections, the National Rally of Independents won 102 seats, followed by the Authenticity and Modernity Party with 86 seats and the Istiqlal Party with 81 seats. These parties later formed a governing coalition headed by Aziz Akhannouch.
This year's vote only concerns the House of Representatives, unlike the 2021 elections, when Moroccans voted in legislative, regional, and municipal elections simultaneously. The election process is being closely monitored, with a significant number of national and international observers present to ensure transparency.
Key points
- Over 15.8 million registered voters are participating in Morocco's 2026 legislative elections.
- The elections are taking place across around 40,700 polling stations nationwide.
- The results will determine the composition of the new House of Representatives and set the stage for negotiations over the next governing majority.
