On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, a polling station at the Al-Quds School in the Souani district of Tangier, Morocco, witnessed irregularities that sparked protests from observers representing various political parties. The incident involved suspected tampering with ballot boxes and the discovery of a bag believed to contain pre-marked voting papers. According to Mohamed Sroukh, an observer from the New Democrats party, irregularities were noticed in one of the ballot boxes.
The observer reported that several sheets of paper were found inside a ballot box, appearing to have been inserted at the same time, raising concerns among observers who promptly reported the incident. The situation escalated with the discovery of an individual carrying a black bag allegedly containing pre-marked voting papers for the Authenticity and Modernity Party. The observer also claimed that a woman attempted to do the same but was unsuccessful.
Security services intervened, apprehending the suspect, while representatives of political parties documented the incident in a report submitted to the Fifth Security District. Several party representatives expressed their disapproval of the incident, demanding a transparent investigation and accountability for those involved if evidence substantiates the allegations. In response, the Public Prosecution Office announced the initiation of a judicial investigation.
The Attorney General of the King at the Tangier Court of Appeal issued an official statement confirming the investigation following the circulation of a video showing a glass ballot box containing white envelopes. This incident occurred during a legislative election in which 28 parties competed for 395 seats in the House of Representatives, with party observers present at polling stations.
The incident raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, although the allegations do not necessarily imply proven fraud until the completion of the legal process and disclosure of investigation results. Authorities had implemented strict measures within voting stations, including a ban on phones and photographic devices, to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
The investigation aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and determine the appropriate legal consequences. The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and transparency in the electoral process. Moroccan authorities have been working to ensure the integrity of elections.
The case is under judicial investigation, and further details will be disclosed as the investigation unfolds. The incident at the Al-Quds School in Tangier has sparked concerns about the credibility of the electoral process in Morocco.
Key points
- Moroccan authorities investigate alleged voting irregularities at a Tangier school.
- Incident sparks concerns about electoral process integrity.
- Investigation underway to determine facts and legal consequences.
