Moroccans in Rabat headed to polling stations on Wednesday (September 23) to vote in an election that will shape the government overseeing the final stages of a $20-billion push to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, and projects to direct economic gains towards the country's disenchanted youth.

The parliamentary poll is not expected to fundamentally alter the balance of power in Morocco, where the king retains sweeping powers over policy direction, defense and foreign affairs.

But the next parliament will be tasked with implementing initiatives increasingly aimed at addressing youth discontent, highlighted by a mass border rush on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and deadly Gen-Z-led protests last year.

The current government is made up of three parties – including two founded by men close to the palace – which unseated a moderate Islamist party that came to power a decade earlier after the 2011 Arab Spring protests.

Those demonstrations led the king to devolve more powers to an elected parliament before later reasserting control over areas such as foreign affairs and the interior ministry.

Under a constitution adopted in 2011, the king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the highest share of parliament's 395 seats.

The prime minister must then negotiate a coalition before submitting a list of cabinet members for royal approval.

The turnout, particularly among young voters, will be closely watched because it will be seen as a barometer for citizens' engagement and trust in elected institutions.

About 27 million Moroccans are of voting age, but only 15.8 million are registered on the electoral lists, a drop of about 12% from the 2021 election.

Polling stations will close at 7 p.m. (1900 GMT), and preliminary results are usually announced the day after an election.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VARIOUS OF MOROCCANS IN RABAT VOTING IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION / SOUNDBITES FROM VOTERS

EDITORS NOTE: REFILING EDIT TO REMOVE SHOT SHOWING OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

RESENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT.

SHOWS: RABAT, MOROCCO (SEPTEMBER 23, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION AT HASSAN II HIGH SCHOOL

2. VARIOUS OF VOTERS CASTING VOTES IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOROCCAN VOTER, BOZOUYA MOHAMMAD, SAYING:

"I did my national duty and voted for the party that will assume national responsibility. I hope they will win and succeed.

4. POLLING STATION WITH OFFICIAL MARKING VOTER’S FINGER AFTER VOTING

5. POLLING STATION WITH OFFICIAL WRITING ON DOCUMENT

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOROCCAN VOTER, DRISS SENOUNI, SAYING:

"(Like) other citizens I came to fulfil my national duty to vote for the party whose values I believe in. I hope this election will see a higher turnout so that 2026 will be a turning point towards the best for Morocco and all Moroccans."

7. WOMAN STANDING AT POLLING STATION

8. VOTER REGISTERING AT DESK

9. VOTER BEHIND VOTING BOOTH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOROCCAN VOTER, FOUZIA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING:

“Thank God all went well. I see good reception in this election and we hope people will vote for those who deserve and not for anyone.”

11. VARIOUS OF VOTER INSIDE POLLING STATION / CASTING VOTE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOROCCAN VOTER, HASSAN EL-GAHS, SAYING:

“Today I am voting in legislative elections and in fact, the organisation was good. There are lists with an order which makes it easier to go to the polling stations. It all went normally, and in an excellent condition.”

13. VARIOUS OF VOTERS

14. PAPER ON WALL READING (Arabic): "Parliament members election. Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Polling Station No. 30."

15. POLLING STATION

16. VOTERS SEATED