Morocco's Taza Province Gears Up for Fierce Electoral Competition

The legislative elections scheduled for September 23 in Morocco's Taza province are shaping up to be a closely contested race. Most political parties have finalized their candidate lists for the five parliamentary seats allocated to the region, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most intense electoral battles in the Fez-Meknes region.

Incumbent parliamentarian Khalil Sidiqi, the regional coordinator for the National Rally of Independents (RNI), leads the "Dove" party's list. He relies on his accumulated electoral experience since 2015 and consecutive legislative terms, having topped the 2021 election results in the constituency.

Challenging Sidiqi is another incumbent, Mounir Chintir, who also heads the municipal council of Taza city. He is running for a second term with the Independence Party's endorsement, hoping to build on his 2021 victory. The Progress and Socialism Party has renewed its trust in Ahmed El Abbadi, a member of the current parliamentary group and head of the "Pen" party's list. He also leads the Kalmân commune and is banking on his legislative experience and local development record.

The Popular Movement has nominated Abdelaziz Kouskous, current head of the Smi'a commune and a former parliamentarian, for his second electoral bid after finishing third in 2015. The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has chosen Mohamed Amghar, head of the Tahla commune, to lead its "Chariot" list in Taza, overcoming internal disputes from previous terms. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) has re-selected Khalid Bouqraï to lead the "Lantern" list, aiming to regain the seat lost in 2021.

Other notable candidacies include Mohamed Jaitou, son of a former parliamentarian, for the Socialist Union of Popular Forces' "Rose" list, emphasizing family legacy and local presence. Ibrahim El Bizizi, the regional secretary and national youth leader, also the son of a former parliamentarian, represents the Democratic Forces Front's "Olive" list. Omar Bali, a municipal councilor and former deputy mayor of Taza, is running under the Renaissance Party's "Rooster" symbol after switching from the Democratic Forces Front.

Notably, Amal Ibn Moussa, a female activist with a law degree from Ghiata Gharbia, has secured the nomination for the New Democrats party, making her the only woman currently heading a declared list. The Federation of the Democratic Left has chosen Said Tairi, while the Moroccan Union for Democracy will field Mustafa Bourayes, a member of its political bureau. The Constitutional Union's "Horse" list is led by Abdel Khaleq El Karrouti, head of the Oued Amlil commune. Hafid Ben Kamra is running independently, having served as a municipal councilor since 2021. Local political circles also buzz with the possibility of Youssef Ben Kamra, brother of current parliamentarian Abdel Majid Ben Kamra, entering the race.