Morocco sets legislative elections date

The long-awaited announcement of the early vote date has generated vivid debates in Morocco.

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 19/08/11

After weeks-long talks with political parties, Morocco has finalized early parliamentary elections date. Voters will head to polls on November 25th, Interior Minister Taieb Cherkaoui announced on Tuesday (August 16th).

Consultations with parties will continue to examine all aspects of the preparations for the elections, the interior ministry said in a statement.

The kingdom was kept in suspense for some time after the July 1st constitutional referendum, with rumors circulating about possible election dates.

The election date coincides with the arrival of winter weather, which can prove very harsh in rural areas, particularly in mountainous regions, Justice and Development Party Secretary-General Lahcen Daoudi pointed out. This could have a negative impact, he said, on voter turnout among rural citizens who usually turn out in large numbers.

Others feel that the much-anticipated announcement could solve the wait-and-see attitude among political parties. The Moroccan political scene has been marked by instability and vagueness, according to Mohamed Ansari, who chairs the Istiqlal Party group in the Chamber of Councillors.

"The announcement has breathed new life into political actors, who had been rather unsettled," he told Magharebia.

Parties, human rights groups and the civil society need to work to encourage citizens to vote, since reform can only take place after the elections, Ansari argued.

Abdellatif Oummou, of the Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS), stressed the need to build confidence. Following the results of the referendum, it is clear that the process of reconciliation between the Moroccan people and politics has started, he said, but it will take time to work through. Will this trend continue?

For some politicians, there is not much reason for optimism. The turnout in 2007 was low and will be even lower in the next vote in light of the February 20th Movement protests, predicted Unified Socialist Party (PSU) Secretary-General Mohamed Moujahid.

He called for a genuine dialogue about real problems to prevent political activities from being pushed to the margins of society.

Opinions are divided on the street. While some youths call on people to have faith in the government's desire for change, others are openly skeptical.

"We mustn’t rush things," said Oussama El Mouerd, a 25-year-old trader. "I hope a new elite will emerge out of the forthcoming elections who can respond to the expectations of young people in particular, whether political or social, and deal especially with the issues of unemployment and freedom."

Mehdi Chihabi, a 29-year-old trader who took part in all youth protests, struck a different chord. The elections will not bring the long-awaited answers to a number of questions, including the fight against corruption and deprivation, he said.

"You’re allowed to be hopeful, even if there isn’t much evidence to inspire confidence," he added.

Sociologist Ali Chaâbani argued that despite young people’s lack of trust, "hope is still there". "They have already expressed their aspirations through the February 20th Movement, preaching liberty, equality, improved living standards and the building of a better future," he told Magharebia. "Of course, the constitution has brought something new. But the changes they want cannot be made overnight."

Holding early elections is the first response to the young people's political aspirations, said political analyst Nadir El Moumni. A number of factors will be decisive, he warned, particularly the opportunities offered to them through electoral list quotas.

Source: Magharebia.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/08/19/feature-02.