Morocco is currently undergoing a major transformation in its political landscape as the Kingdom intensifies its fight against corruption. A remarkable surge in impeachments and by-elections is altering the dynamics of national politics.
In line with royal guidance, Moroccan judicial authorities are diligently working to purify the political environment. This initiative is reflected in the increasing number of by-elections that are being organized to fill positions left vacant by officials who have been dismissed.
The ongoing “clean-up campaign” has gained significant traction over the years. Recent by-elections in locations such as Rabat and Fkih Ben Saleh, alongside the prominent ousting of Anass Bouannani, the President of the Kénitra Communal Council, highlight the effectiveness of this initiative. Bouannani, once a notable leader, was removed due to various judicial probes.
Amidst this political storm, the electoral process remains robust, with parties taking advantage of the changes to enhance their influence. In the recent by-elections for Rabat-Océan, Saâd Benmbarek from the Rassemblement National des Indépendants (RNI) achieved a substantial victory, claiming 46.42% of the votes. He successfully outperformed candidates from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), the Justice and Development Party (PJD), and the Democratic Left Federation (FGD).
This election followed the disqualification of another RNI member, Abderrahim Ouasslim, who lost his seat due to the issuance of bounced cheques. Although this scandal had initially harmed the RNI’s reputation, Benmbarek’s win has helped restore the party’s credibility. The RNI, along with its allies, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and Istiqlal, backed Benmbarek without presenting competing candidates, which assured the retention of the RNI’s seat.
On the same day, Saleh Hanine of the RNI also triumphed in the Fkih Ben Saleh by-election, taking over from Kamal El Mahfoud, who was similarly removed for bounced cheques. This further solidifies the RNI’s position as the dominant party in Parliament. Istiqlal and PAM supported this effort by not running candidates and motivating their voters to support RNI representatives.
However, the electoral process faces significant challenges, particularly concerning voter turnout, which remains dismally low. In Rabat-Océan, only 7% of eligible voters participated, a stark decline from the 31.82% engagement observed in the September 2021 legislative elections. This drop mirrors a growing public cynicism regarding repeated scandals and unfulfilled promises.
The frequent occurrence of by-elections highlights Morocco’s commitment to tackling corruption within its political institutions. Numerous officials accused of financial misconduct and other crimes are currently facing legal actions.
