Morocco: Voters head to polling stations to elect members of the House of Representatives amid party competition

Rabat, September 23 (KUNA) -- Moroccan voters headed to the polls on Wednesday morning to elect 395 members of parliament, including 305 representatives elected in local constituencies and 90 women elected in regional constituencies reserved for female candidates, amid a competitive party race to shape the next government. The Ministry of the Interior said in a statement that the number of registered voters eligible to cast their ballots stood at 15,801,162, while the number of candidate lists reached 1,850, encompassing 7,288 candidates. The electoral programs of the competing parties focus on social and economic issues, particularly improving citizens’ purchasing power and expanding social protection, as well as supporting enterprises and stimulating economic growth. The elections are being held under new legal provisions aimed at strengthening the protection of integrity and transparency values. They are being monitored by 306 electoral observers representing national associations and bodies, and 200 bodies representing international and regional organizations. The voting process is expected to determine the composition of the House of Representatives and outline the contours of the next government, as Article 47 of the Moroccan Constitution stipulates that the King appoints the head of government from the party that tops the results of the House of Representatives elections, based on those results. (End) M.R.Y. / T.A.B.