Morocco votes on curbing king's powers

Faced with demonstrations modelled on those that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, King Mohammed VI announced the referendum last month to devolve some of his powers to the prime minister and parliament of the north African country. -- PHOTO: AFP

RABAT - MOROCCANS voted on Friday in a referendum on curbing the near absolute powers of King Mohammed VI, who has offered reforms following protests inspired by pro-democracy uprisings around the Arab world.

Faced with demonstrations modelled on those that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, King Mohammed VI announced the referendum last month to devolve some of his powers to the prime minister and parliament of the north African country.

The United States hailed the referendum on Friday, with State Department spokesman Mark Toner telling reporters it was 'an important step in Morocco's ongoing democratic development'. 'In this period of profound change, we think it's important and we congratulate the people of Morocco and their leadership for the peaceful referendum,' he said.

Under a draft constitution voted on Friday, the king would remain head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco. But the prime minister, who would be chosen from the largest party elected to parliament, would take over as the head of government.

State television showed King Mohammed VI, dressed in traditional Moroccan robes and wearing a red Fez hat, cast his ballot in the capital Rabat. He made no public statement.

Analysts had said a low voter turnout could raise questions about the credibility of the vote, but officials said that the participation rate, after two-thirds of votes had been counted, had been 70.6 per cent. About 13 million of the country's 32 million people were registered to vote. -- AFP