Morocco's parliament has approved a significant reform of the electoral code, a key step ahead of the scheduled 2026 local elections. The new law, passed on March 12, 2026, officially lowers the minimum voting age from 21 to 18, a change that had been announced by King Mohammed VI in a 2023 speech.
A central feature of the reform is the introduction of a mandatory youth quota. Political parties will now be required to include candidates aged 40 or under on their lists for local councils, with the specific percentage to be defined by a subsequent decree. This measure is designed to increase the political representation of younger generations.
The reform package also includes provisions aimed at enhancing the integrity of the electoral process. These measures focus on strengthening oversight mechanisms and campaign finance regulations to ensure greater transparency in future ballots.
Analysts view this legislative update as an effort to modernize Morocco's political landscape and engage a larger segment of the population, particularly the youth, in the democratic process. The changes will first be tested in the nationwide municipal and regional elections set for 2026.
