Islamist PJD wins Moroccan elections

Morocco’s justice and development party (PJD) has won the most seats in the North African country’s parliamentary elections concluded on Saturday.

The final confirmed result, shows the ruling PJD claiming 99 seats and PAM coming close with 80 seats in the 395 legislative seats.

The PJD’s leader and outgoing secretary-General,Abdelilah Benkirane said it is a day of joy and victory for democracy for the country.

According to the result announced by the Interior minister, Mohammed Hassad the governing Justice and Development Party (PJD) won 99 seats while the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) had 80 seats, and the conservative party took 31 seats.

“The rate of participation in the elections of 7 October is high close to 43%, 6.750.000 voters participated in the elections. As regards the results for the local lists which amounted to 92 electoral districts, this is the provisional results after counting the votes of 90% of the voters.“he said.

Under Morocco’s system no party can win an outright majority in the vote for the 395-seat parliament and the winner must form a coalition government.

However, the tight race will make coalition-building tough for the PJD even if they win the election.

Morocco’s main Islamist opposition group, Justice and Spirituality, and left-wing organizations, have boycotted elections in protest.

The PJD first came to power in November 2011, taking 107 seats, the party is now the first party in modern Moroccan history to win two consecutive terms in government and is expected to begin the process of forming a coalition government.

Moderate Islamist Party of Justice and Development wins Morocco's national elections… https://t.co/12xOlpxt3X by #AP via c0nvey

— Kai Sonoka (galaw882) October 8, 2016

The North African kingdom presents itself as a model for economic stability and gradual reform in a region where violence and instability are more the norm.