Morocco Election Results 2026: PAM Wins 97 Seats as Turnout Falls to 38%

Morocco election results 2026 show the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) as the largest party in the House of Representatives with 97 seats, up from 87 in 2021, according to provisional results. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the outgoing government, fell from 102 seats to 66. Istiqlal dropped from 81 to 65. A party needs 198 of the 395 seats for a majority, so coalition negotiations will decide who governs.

A sharp fall in turnout

The Interior Ministry put national turnout at 38.02%, well below the 50.35% recorded in 2021. Al Jazeera notes it is the second-lowest turnout in parliamentary elections since King Mohammed VI took the throne in 1999. Official tabulations from the state news agency give a slightly different figure of 38.08%, so sources vary by a few hundredths of a point. Participation was far higher in some southern regions, reaching 77 percent in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and 61 percent in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.

Why many voters stayed home

AP described an election shaped by frustration among young people, high unemployment despite a thriving economy, and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing. It was the first vote since deadly youth-led protests nearly a year ago. Al Jazeera adds that explanations for staying away include dissatisfaction with established parties, economic concerns and doubts about the effectiveness of electoral politics.

The PJD's comeback

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) won 54 seats, roughly quadrupling its result from 2021, according to Al Jazeera. The Left Alliance and the PJD alleged electoral irregularities in Tiflet and Oujda, while the Interior Ministry said voting proceeded normally apart from isolated incidents.

How the vote worked

Voters chose among 28 political formations in the 12th legislative election since independence. Nearly 6 million voters took part. Counting commissions chaired by judges determine the final results and announce the winning candidates.

What happens next

The results are provisional and the next head of government has not yet been named. The key question is which parties can assemble a majority, and how the next cabinet responds to the voters who chose not to take part.

Read more: Al Jazeera, Morocco World News, AP and Maroc.ma (links in the sources box).