Tangier-Assilah election results face legal challenges after ballot papers scandal

The Tangier-Assilah constituency in Morocco is preparing for possible legal disputes over the outcome of the most recent parliamentary elections, after a ballot papers scandal resulted in seven individuals, among them Tangier Mayor Mounir Lemouri, being brought before the city’s criminal court, as reported by Hespress. Morocco holds parliamentary elections every five years, and the Constitutional Court has the authority to resolve electoral disputes.

As of Wednesday, no political party had formally lodged an appeal against the results of the 23 September 2026 elections, according to information obtained by Hespress. The elected candidates in the constituency came from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the Popular Movement, Istiqlal, and the National Rally of Independents (RNI).

Parties preparing challenges

Nevertheless, party sources indicated that at least two political groups are readying challenges, completing their submissions and collecting supporting documents and evidence concerning alleged irregularities in the constituency.

Omar Benajiba, who leads the Alliance of the Left list in Tangier-Assilah, stated that his alliance is preparing to contest the entire electoral process.

“Holding new elections in the Tangier-Assilah constituency is the logical and appropriate request for us,” Benajiba told Hespress, pointing to what he termed clear irregularities during the voting.

He said the alliance plans to dispute the entire electoral process and to challenge the election of candidates from the victorious parties, except for the PJD.

Benajiba noted that the alliance is preparing appeals against the election of Abdelatif El Ghalbzouri of PAM, who served as the party’s provincial official during the ballot papers incident, as well as Mohamed Zemmouri of the Popular Movement and Mohamed Hammami of Istiqlal. It is also contemplating an appeal against the election of Abdelwahed Boulaich of RNI, but with a lower priority.

USFP also challenging results

Hamid Ben Taher, who heads the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) list in the constituency, is also preparing to challenge the outcome after losing his parliamentary seat. He informed Hespress that the appeal will be submitted by the end of this week or early next week at the latest.

Ben Taher stated that the USFP intends to contest the election of three lawmakers: El Ghalbzouri, Zemmouri, and Hammami. He cited alleged irregularities that are also included in the criminal case.

He argued that the extent of the alleged violations makes a rerun the reasonable result, while emphasising that the Constitutional Court will have the final decision.

Uncertainty remains

The possibility of appeals has increased uncertainty among the parties that secured seats in Tangier-Assilah, where the ballot papers controversy has attracted national attention. Whether the results will be annulled or a new election ordered will depend on the appeals filed and the rulings of the competent judicial bodies.