Candidates fight to block slum clearances to protect voter bases in Casablanca and Marrakech

The swift relocation of residents from slums and unsafe buildings in Casablanca-Settat and Marrakech-Safi is disrupting political strategies for key candidates ahead of Morocco’s 2026 elections, sources told Hespress Ar.

With the relocation projects dismantling traditional voter bases, major candidates are scrambling to forge new alliances and win over civil society groups. Some candidates are also concerned about potential redistricting decisions by the Interior Ministry, which could further affect their electoral plans.

Sources revealed that party organizers have been actively searching for leaked information regarding potential changes to electoral district boundaries, which are expected to be influenced by the demolitions and relocations that have occurred over the past year.

In response, top candidates are working to map out their electoral paths, determining where to run and under which party banner in the upcoming elections.

To mitigate the effects of these changes, some candidates are enlisting brokers to mobilize civil society organizations. Their aim is to retain influence over relocated communities, particularly in the outskirts of Casablanca and Marrakech.

The competition is intensifying, especially in areas like Deroua (Berrechid province) and Majatia Oulad Taleb and Sidi Hajjaj Ouled Hissar (Mediouna province), where an increase in parliamentary seats is expected.

Meanwhile, local council members in Mohammedia are concerned by a sharp drop in their electoral districts’ populations, with some areas now home to only a few dozen residents. This decline has led some to seek new electoral strongholds, engaging voters in other areas through charity initiatives like Ramadan food baskets and medical caravans to secure support.

Reports from regional authorities have raised concerns over possible extortion of business owners, who are allegedly being pressured to fund Ramadan food distributions.

The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into these allegations, which suggest politicians may be leveraging administrative transactions to extract donations in exchange for political advantages. Some officials are accused of threatening business owners with bureaucratic obstacles if they refuse to contribute.

Additionally, sources indicate that some municipal leaders have been intentionally obstructing demolition efforts in their areas for political reasons. These officials have been accused of protecting informal housing clusters to maintain voter bases. Local authorities, including district leaders and governors, have reported instances where officials delayed demolitions by citing equipment failures or a lack of necessary resources, despite court orders to remove illegal buildings.

Some of these officials are also alleged to have granted unlawful construction permits in the past, using these settlements to build long-term electoral support.