Thousands of people
took to the streets in cities across Morocco to call for a boycott of
the country’s Nov. 25 elections. The protesters say that the
elections are undemocratic due to government corruption and the
overwhelming authority of the king and his court.
Around 3,000 people
marched in the city of Rabat on Nov. 20, and 6,000 protested in
Casablanca despite inclement weather. Ten thousand protesters
gathered in Tangier chanting, “We are not voting, because we are
not cattle!”
King Mohammed
responded to the Arab Spring uprisings earlier this year by making
constitutional reforms that gave some power to elected officials. But
he has the final say on issues of religion, national defense and
security. The Moroccan show-elections are between moderate Islamists
and liberals. Both are loyal to the monarchy.
Previous elections
have seen low voter turnout,
and the people have little confidence in Parliament,
making it clear that the regime is unresponsive to the Moroccan
people.
