Moroccans have begun voting in a parliamentary election expected to shape the country’s political direction amid growing concerns over unemployment, living costs and access to public services
Voting centres across Morocco opened at 8 a.m. and were scheduled to close at 7 p.m. local time, with nearly 16 million registered voters choosing representatives for the 395-seat House of Representatives.
The leader of the opposition Party of Progress and Socialism, PPS, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, cast his ballot at a polling station in Rabat.
Benabdallah said he was optimistic about the electoral process and hoped the results would reflect citizens’ expectations.
“We hope that the results will reflect the expectations of the citizens at all levels,” he said.
Voters were choosing among 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties in an election taking place amid public frustration, particularly among young people, over unemployment and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing.
The election Is the first since youth-led protests nearly a year ago and a mass attempt by migrants to cross Morocco’s northern border into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, in an incident that left dozens dead.
The next government will also oversee major investments as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, leading to expectations that the incoming administration will focus on infrastructure and economic development.
Benabdallah urged voters to await the completion of the process, including the counting of ballots and announcement of results.
“I hope that the process will go on in the best way possible until the counting of the votes and the announcement of the results,” he said.
Africanews
