Moroccans vote on king's reforms

1 July 2011 Last updated at 16:25 GMT Some Moroccans would like to have a constitutional monarchy Moroccans are going to the polls to vote on a series of constitutional amendments and reforms.

The proposals, put forward by King Mohammed VI, would give the prime minister and parliament more power.

Analysts say that he is widely expected to win the vote, though low turnout could spark demands for bolder changes.

His reforms come in response to protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings, which ousted leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.

'Date with history'

Morocco's own youth-based February 20 Movement organised weeks of pro-reform demonstrations through websites such as Facebook and YouTube which brought thousands on to the streets. They have urged their supporters to boycott the vote.

"We reject what has been offered. It still leaves a sole player in the field," one of the movement's co-ordinators Najib Chawki told Reuters news agency.

But all the country's main political parties, unions, civic groups, religious leaders and media have for the past several weeks urged Moroccans to vote in favour of the hew constitution.

By 1600 local time (1500 GMT), turnout was 48%, state TV reports.

Polls are due to close at 1900 local time (1800 GMT), with preliminary results due shortly afterwards.

The king did not say anything as he cast his vote in a chic district of the capital, Rabat.

The vote, which represents the first constitutional referendum under the king's 12-year rule, has been described by one Moroccan newspaper as "a date with history".

Continue reading the main story Jessy Elmurr BBC Arabic, Rabat

Some call it the "big decision day" here in Morocco. Yet Moroccans seem to be going about their daily life without much fuss unlike the days leading up to the referendum. Some people here say it is the quiet before the storm.

In one of the polling centres, set up in Hassan II High School in the capital, Rabat, all voting rooms looked the same. They contained a Moroccan flag and a poster of the king, both taped next to each other on the blackboard. Participation was slow in the morning but people say much more voters will turn out after Friday prayers.

There is a sense of anticipation in the kingdom, many people feel they are making history and they say they are weighing their vote carefully. They know their vote - no or yes - may represent a referendum on the king himself.

The king himself has described the reforms as: "A decisive historic transition."

"I support the king, he keeps Morocco safe. It is not like Algeria and Yemen, it's stable here," Rachid Aboul-Hassan, a cab driver in the capital, Rabat, told the AP news agency.

"There are problems here, but we are taking small steps, slowly."

Under the draft constitution, the king remains as the head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco, but the prime minister - to be chosen from the largest party elected to parliament - would take over as head of the government.

The reforms, the king has pledged, would reinforce the independence of the judiciary, boost efforts to tackle corruption, guarantee freedom of expression and gender rights and make Berber an official language, alongside Arabic.

"The majority will approve the reform. What's really at stake is voter turnout," said Lahcen Daodi of the moderate Islamist Justice and Development opposition party (PJD), which supports the reform.

Those calling for a boycott say the vote has been called too quickly to allow proper debate

The turnout at the last parliamentary polls in 2007 stood at just 37%, the lowest recorded.

The reform plan has been welcomed abroad, with the European Union saying it "signals a clear commitment to democracy".

But it fails to meet the demands of a full constitutional monarchy sought by many protesters.

Many activists have been sceptical about the king's promises of change, saying Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms.

Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty.

King Mohammed, 47, acceded to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II, and now heads the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty.

View the original article here

Moroccan monarch unveils reforms

17 June 2011 Last updated at 23:52 GMT King Mohammed VI has promised greater democracy for the people of Morocco Morocco's King Mohammed VI has announced proposals for constitutional amendments in a landmark speech.

The king said the measures would entrench democratic institutions and protect rights, though he confirmed that he will retain some key powers.

The reforms would give the prime minister and parliament more executive authority and make Berber an official language in Morocco, alongside Arabic.

The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July.

The king promised in March to introduce "comprehensive constitutional reform" after anti-government protests inspired by those elsewhere in the region.

'Historic transition'

Despite the pledge, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have continued to hold demonstrations.

Continue reading the main story

Before we had an absolute monarch, now we have an absolute monarch that is a pope as well”

End Quote Elaabadila Chbihna Protester Many activists have been sceptical about the king's promises of change, saying Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms.

In his speech broadcast late on Friday on Moroccan TV, King Mohammed outlined his proposals and urged Moroccans to back them.

He said that if the reforms were approved, they would "constitute a decisive historic transition in the process of the building of the rule of law and democratic institutions, and in entrenching the principles and mechanisms of good governance".

An amended constitution would also guarantee "dignified citizenship and social justice", he said.

The independence of the judiciary and efforts to tackle corruption would be boosted, he added, and the reforms would guarantee freedom of expression and gender rights.

'Real revolution'

But the king also said his own powers would be reduced "as much as possible", with the prime minister gaining the authority to appoint government officials and dissolve parliament.

Moroccans gave the king's speech a mixed reaction

According to the proposals, various national councils, including a youth council, will enable greater citizen participation.

The king said he would remain as the supreme commander of the armed forces, and retain control over security.

A new article within the constitution formalised his role as the highest religious authority in the country.

"The integrity of the person of the king should not be violated," he said.

"The new formula does not try to put a religious dimension to the person of the king but rather highlights political responsibilities."

The proposals were drawn up by a reform panel appointed by King Mohammed.

Driss Lachgar, minister in charge of relations with parliament, called the draft "a real revolution".

He said it "laid the foundations for a parliamentary monarchy".

As the speech ended, cars flying Moroccan flags drove through the streets of the capital honking their horns, and young people marched along the streets banging drums and cheering.

But some activists were not pleased by the changes.

"Before we had an absolute monarch, now we have an absolute monarch that is a pope as well," said Elaabadila Chbihna, an activist with the February 20 movement that has carried out weekly pro-democracy marches around the country.

Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty.

King Mohammed, 47, acceded to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II, and now heads the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty.

View the original article here