MOROCCO — Moroccan voters are casting ballots in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Political parties are competing for 395 seats in the House of Representatives.

Voting centers are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Results are expected on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The 2026 legislative elections are the 12th since Morocco's independence, with 28 parties and two lists of independent candidates vying for seats, according to maroc.ma.

There are 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties on the ballot. There are 15.8 million registered voters in Morocco. The number of registered voters has declined by 9.7% since the 2021 elections.

Only 4% of registered voters are aged between 18 and 24. More than half of Morocco's population is under the age of 35. Morocco's total population is approximately 38.8 million.

King Mohammed VI appoints the prime minister from the political party that wins the most seats in the election. King Mohammed VI presides over the Council of Ministers. The palace traditionally retains control over key ministries such as defense and foreign affairs.

No single party is expected to capture an absolute majority in the election. The winning party will need to build a coalition government.

The National Rally of Independents (RNI) has pledged to create one million job opportunities by 2031. The RNI has promised a guaranteed monthly minimum wage of 5,000 dirham ($525). Aziz Akhannouch is the current Prime Minister of Morocco. Aziz Akhannouch leads the RNI.

Fouzi Lekjaa joined the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) in July 2026. Fouzi Lekjaa is the head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Fouzi Lekjaa works in the finance ministry.

Fouzi Lekjaa oversees Morocco's budget. Fouzi Lekjaa is 56 years old. Fouzi Lekjaa is a member of the PAM political bureau but is not the top party official. Fouzi Lekjaa has promised to make Morocco sixth in the world in education and healthcare. Fouzi Lekjaa is first vice president of the Confederation of African Football since 2025. Fouzi Lekjaa was appointed Minister Delegate for the Budget on 7 October 2021. Fouzi Lekjaa has been a member of the FIFA Council since 2021.

The Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) said it would exempt salaries below 15,000 dirham ($1,575) from taxes. The Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) pledged 100,000 housing solutions for young people. Fatima-Zahra Mansouri is the mayor of Marrakech.

Fatima-Zahra Mansouri is the minister of urban planning. Fatima-Zahra Mansouri is 50 years old.

Nizar Baraka is the head of the Istiqlal Party (PI). Nizar Baraka is the minister of water. The Istiqlal Party wants to speed up treatment at public hospitals.

The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (PPS) aims to cut the school dropout rate in half. The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (PPS) aims to tighten anti-corruption rules.

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) aims to narrow economic disparities between major economic hubs like Casablanca and other regions. Abdelilah Benkirane is the leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD). Benkirane is a former Prime Minister of Morocco.

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) led the government between 2016 and 2021. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) won 125 seats in the 2016 election. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) is campaigning on a promise to end diplomatic ties with Israel.

Morocco normalized ties with Israel in December 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords. Israel and Morocco agreed to open full embassies in their respective countries in September 2026. The agreement to open embassies followed a meeting between Israeli and Moroccan top diplomats and the US ambassador to the United Nations.

The Israeli liaison office in Morocco was closed during the Gaza war. Direct flights between Israel and Morocco were suspended during the Gaza war.

Hamza El Kharroubi is running for parliament with the Environment and Sustainable Development Party. Hamza El Kharroubi is 29 years old. Hamza El Kharroubi was briefly arrested during the September 2025 protests.

Hamza El Kharroubi is from Tetouan. "As a young person, I don't have much hope. I joined this party because they wanted more Gen Z faces and they are allowing us to speak freely about our demands," Hamza El Kharroubi said. "We want justice for the families of those who died crossing to Ceuta. We want compensation for their families." "As young people, we have to enter the parliament so by 2031 we have strong young politicians who can compete for a seat in the government," Hamza Kharroubi said.

Rachid Aourraz is a political expert from the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA). "The slogan 'one million jobs' has become an overused electoral slogan. There is also talk of raising the minimum wage, but what is proposed cannot withstand a structural inability to create stable net jobs," Rachid Aourraz said.

"We have to speak up. If we work hard, the king will close the Israeli embassy. The king does not like going against his own people," Benkirane said.

Gen Z protests erupted in September 2025 over unemployment, healthcare, and living costs. Demonstrators chanted slogans including "freedom, dignity, and social justice" and "get out Akhannouch". More than 2,400 people faced prosecution following the September 2025 unrest.

Approximately 60,000 people crossed from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July 2026. At least 100 people died during the migration surge to Ceuta in late July 2026. The migration wave to Ceuta started at Fnideq beach. Fnideq beach is located 34km (21 miles) from Tetouan. Ayoub Lasli is a lifeguard from Casablanca. Ayoub Lasli swam into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in July 2026. Ayoub Belaidi is 23 years old.

The International Monetary Fund estimates overall unemployment in Morocco stood at 13% in 2025. The International Monetary Fund estimates youth unemployment (ages 15-24) reached 37.3% in 2025. Government figures state that 2.9 million Moroccans aged 15 to 29 were not in education, employment, or training in 2025. 12.7% of Moroccans live in relative poverty.

The Democratic Path party called for a boycott of the election. The Islamist association Al-Adl Wal Ihsane called for a boycott of the election. Al-Adl Wal Ihsane is a banned but tolerated Islamist association.

Hiba is a 27-year-old Moroccan living in Montreal, Canada. The Moroccan diaspora in Montreal numbers about 104,000 people according to the 2016 census. The Moroccan Constitution recognizes the right to vote for Moroccans living abroad. There is no voting by mail or ballot boxes at Moroccan consulates for citizens living abroad. Moroccans living abroad must travel to Morocco to vote or authorize a registered family member or acquaintance to vote on their behalf. Opinion polls are banned in Morocco. Morocco is a close U.S. ally. Morocco has become Africa’s most-visited destination. King Mohammed VI is 63 years old.

Timeline

Morocco became the first Arab and African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.

Why It Matters

The election occurs with low youth voter registration and recent protests over unemployment and living costs. The number of registered voters has declined by 9.7% since the 2021 elections, and only 4% of registered voters are aged between 18 and 24. "Turnout is a key barometer of public engagement with the state."

No single party is expected to capture an absolute majority, meaning the winning party will need to build a coalition government. "The government’s overall policy platform is set by a circle of advisers close to the king, who retains ultimate power."