Moroccans Will Vote Soon
September 7th, an important day in Morocco. More than fifteen million people will have the chance to vote. More than seventy percent of those registered have already picked up their voter cards which may mean a good turn out. Those who have waited can apply for voter cards up to election day. Some officials have expressed voter turnout could be an expression on the credibility of the elections.
National Administration for Electoral Districts is choosing staff workers for the more than 7000 polling places. Workers will be given training on election procedures and how to run voting offices. Governors will select a President of the polling office and their assistants, forty eight hours before voting begins.
Moroccans will be electing representatives to their lower House of Parliament. Thirty-three parties have 1,870 candidates running for 295 seats.
This is Morocco’s second election under King Mohammed VI. Prior to his ascension to the throne, voters lost confidence in the election process. Under King Hassan II, the democratic process was stagnated by problems between the monarchy and the political parties, electoral lists being manipulated by the Interior Minister Driss Basri and the formation of new political parties on the eve of each election. Many of the young Moroccans lost faith in the process and stayed away from politics.
Many positive changes have come about in the past few years. In the 2002 elections, King Mohammed VI worked very hard and used his influence to make sure the election was fair. His efforts have brought democratic reforms in Morocco. Other accomplishments that have come about are, National Initiative for Human Development, universal health coverage, and the Family Code, among others. Election Codes were brought up to date and consolidated. All stages of elections in Morocco come under this code. Election process is regulated giving structure to negotiations and debates between the Interior Ministry and political parties.
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September 24th, 2007 at 10:49 am
[…] members of the Moroccan government went to South American countries to appeal for support. Minister of Trade and Industry, Salaheddine […]