Morocco Votes for New Parliament in First Election Since New Constitution; Turnout Up More Than 20 percent

PJD takes lead in seats; Sec. of State Clinton, UK, France, and others praise Morocco vote as 'important milestone' for peaceful change in region

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Moroccans voted yesterday in the country's first Parliamentary election since recent Constitutional reforms that increased the power of Morocco's Parliament. Voters chose from among 5,873 candidates and 33 different parties to fill 395 seats. Seventy seats were set aside for younger adult and women members to ensure Parliament includes new faces reflecting the nation's changing population.

With 288 of 305 local constituent seats decided, provisional results show the Justice and Development party (PJD) won 80, Independence party won 45, National Rally for Independents (RNI) won 38, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 33, Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) won 29, Popular Movement (MP) won 22, Constitutional Union (UC) won 15, and Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) won 11. Under the new Constitution, the head of government is to be appointed from the party with the most seats. Early results indicate a coalition government will emerge with PJD likely in the lead.

Despite some calls to boycott the election, provisional results show 45.4 percent of Morocco's 13.6 million registered voters participated, an increase of 21.6 percent over the previous parliamentary election in 2007. Almost 4,000 national and international observers oversaw the election.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered praise for Morocco's Parliamentary election, joining others from the international community:

"The United States stands ready to work with the new parliament and the people of Morocco to strengthen the rule of law, raise human rights standards, promote transparent and accountable governance, and work toward sustained, democratic reform."

Britain and France also commended Morocco's commitment to reforms:

"Along with reforms already being carried out and recent constitutional change, Friday's election reinforces Morocco's reputation as a leader" in the region, said Henry Bellingham, British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, & Commonwealth Affairs.

"France hopes that this election will be a further step in Morocco's march on the path drawn by the King of Morocco, who launched major and key reforms," said Bernard Valero, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Peter Pham, director, Michael S. Ansari Africa Center, Atlantic Council in Washington, called the elections a "historic moment" marking the culmination of a long process of Moroccan democratic reforms.  He added that Morocco "did not wait for the 'Arab Spring' to initiate the reform process."

"These elections are an important milestone for Morocco and the region," said Edward M. Gabriel, Former US Ambassador to Morocco and Chairman of the Moroccan American Center.  "Building and sustaining a working democracy is an aspiring goal and challenge—for all nations. Morocco has a head start with its history of reforms and tolerance. Its new Parliament must now show it can exercise its power to improve the lives of Moroccans and meet their desire for change."

For Answers to FAQs about Morocco's Parliamentary Elections, go to:
http://moroccoonthemove.wordpress.com/faq-moroccos-2011-parliamentary-elections/

For updates, results, commentaries, and the latest news about Morocco's elections, go to MoroccoOnTheMove.com, and also follow us on Twitter - @MorocOnTheMove

The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.  For more, please visit www.moroccoonthemove.com.

This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.

SOURCE Moroccan American Center for Policy

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