Signal Morocco Votes for New Parliament After Gen Z Protests and Ceuta Migration Surge

Summary

Nearly 16 million registered Moroccan voters took part in the country's 12th legislative election since independence on September 23, 2026, with 27 political parties competing for 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The vote is the first since deadly youth-led protests a year ago and a mass attempt by migrants to cross into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. Youth voter registration is strikingly low, with just 4% of registered voters aged 18-24, reflecting deep distrust of political parties. The far-left Democratic Path and the tolerated Islamist association Al-Adl Wal Ihsane called for a boycott, saying the election 'lacks the minimum conditions of democracy.' Cost of living, jobs and inequality dominated the campaign; results were expected Thursday.