Barakat, the only candidate for the post, received 56 votes out of 57 during a meeting chaired by the Wali of the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region, governor of the province of Beni Mellal, Khatib El Hebil.

Speaking on this occasion, Barakat praised the smooth conduct of the September 8 elections in the region and the efforts made by the local authorities to ensure the success of this event.

The new president said he is ready to work together with the all the members of the Council for the implementation of the new development model, the pursuit of the optimal implementation of advanced regionalization and above all "to establish the bases of a spatial equity which takes into account the enormous interregional disparities".