RNI Dominates By-Elections, PJD Suffers Setback in Key Moroccan Provinces

The RNI once again shows its supremacy on the national political scene. The party emerged as the big winner of the July 23 by-elections held in the province of Al Hoceima, the prefecture of Meknès and the province of Mediouna, after the Constitutional Court annulled the last legislative elections in these constituencies. According to provisional results, the RNI garnered more votes than the other PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PJD parties, reports the daily Al Akhbar.

Boutahar Tahiri (RNI), Mohamed Hamouti (PAM), Noureddine Mediane (PI) and Abdelhaq Amghar (USFP) won the four seats in the Al Hoceima constituency. The PJD candidate, Nabil Andaloussi, came in last with only 700 votes. In Meknès, the result is the same. RNI candidate Sophia Tahiri regained her seat after soundly defeating her PJD opponent, Abdessalem Khalidi (13,760 votes against 4,726). In Mediouna, the voters renewed their trust in the Istiqlal candidate, Hachem Amine Chafik.