Moderate Islamists expected to retain power in Moroccan election

Record ID: 83002

  • Title: Moderate Islamists expected to retain power in Moroccan election
  • Date: 7th October 2016
  • Summary: RABAT, MOROCCO (OCTOBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION VARIOUS OF VOTERS LOOKING FOR THEIR NAMES ON LIST SIGN SHOWING POLLING STATION NUMBER 61 VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CASTING BALLOTS OFFICIAL PUTTING INDELIBLE INK ON VOTER'S FINGER AFTER VOTING (SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) VOTER, BOUCHRA ARIJA, SAYING: "I came here today to vote because it is a national duty. I don't know all the lists and I did not read the manifestos of all the parties but today, I voted for the party I feel is near me. I hope that it will bring the reforms that will help our country go forward." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CASTING BALLOTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOTER, RABIA ISMAILI ALAOUI, SAYING: "I came to vote today because it is necessary that we vote and make our choice. I pray to God that we give our vote to those who deserve it and keep their promises." VOTER HAMZA DOUKALLI LEAVING BOOTH AND CASTING BALLOT (SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) VOTER, HAMZA DOUKALLI, SAYING: "I see that it is necessary to take part in these elections as we did in the previous elections. I also believe that it is our duty to be good citizens and to see young people in tune with politics." VARIOUS OF GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE AUTHENTICITY AND MODERNITY PARTY (PAM), ILYAS EL OMARI, COLLECTING BALLOT PAPER AND VOTING BALLOT PAPERS IN BALLOT BOX (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE AUTHENTICITY AND MODERNITY PARTY (PAM), ILYAS EL OMARI, SAYING: "I expect Moroccans to do their constitutional duty. Full stop." VARIOUS OF PRIME MINISTER AND GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT PARTY (PJD), ABDELILAH BENKIRANE, VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRIME MINISTER AND GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT PARTY (PJD), ABDELILAH BENKIRANE, SAYING: "I have been at the head of the government for the last five years. Moroccans have seen everything with their own eyes. We had a very successful election campaign that was the first in Morocco and now we are waiting for the natural results." REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO POLITICAL PARTIES INSIDE POLLING STATION INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FORMS BEING CHECKED BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS BALLOT BOX BEING SEALED, WATCHED BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER, ALENA DAVIS, SAYING: "I think the democratic path that Moroccan men and women have taken, and this is a very steady process and that is very important within the regional context. I think that is why Morocco stands out very well and we should be here." VARIOUS OF VOTERS ENTERING POLLING STATION OFFICIALS REGISTERING VOTERS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VOTING
  • Embargoed: 22nd October 2016 15:06
  • Keywords: Morocco election JDP Islamist PAM Abdelilah Benkirane
  • Location: RABAT, MOROCCO
  • City: RABAT, MOROCCO
  • Country: Morocco
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001530BJNR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Morocco's moderate Islamists are favoured to win parliamentary elections on Friday (October 7), five years after they entered government and the kingdom introduced limited reforms in the wake of Arab Spring-style unrest.
    The Justice and Development Party (PJD), which has led the ruling coalition since 2011, is expected to dominate the ballot over its main rivals the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), whose opponents say is too close to the palace.
    After the Arab Spring, Morocco introduced limited reforms granting more powers to parliament. But the king retains most executive authority and no party openly challenges the monarchy.
    Voters will select lawmakers for the 395-seat House of Representatives and the palace appoints the prime minister from the party that wins most seats.
    Under the electoral system, no one party can win an outright majority, forcing winners into a drawn-out process of negotiations to form a coalition government.
    Popular for its anti-corruption stance, Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane's PJD has pushed fiscal reforms to reduce Morocco's deficit and overhaul a system of heavy subsidies, a programme he says they will continue if re-elected.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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