Moroccans divided on importance of elections

06/09/2007

As the September 7th elections approach, the question on many Moroccans' minds is whether or not they matter.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 06/09/2007

[Getty Images] Young Moroccans are still not sure about their choices for the elections.

On the eve of Morocco's legislative elections, the country's citizens remain divided: some believe voting is a civil right, while others believe it serves no purpose.

Teacher El Batoul Bakkali told Magharebia that the rate of participation in the elections is the main issue. She said the state has given strong signals that the election is to be carried out with transparency. "I believe that everything is going to change after this decisive day," she stated. "I think the ballot boxes are going to bring out some surprises and show which political parties are the most involved in the field."

Many Moroccans share Bakkali's opinion. Some believe that monitoring by the Consultative Council for Human Rights and other national and international actors has restored Moroccan confidence and will incite them to go and vote in great numbers. Aymen Amrani, a law student, said the election could be a true opportunity for Moroccans, especially the youth, to reconcile with politics. "This is an important step that Morocco is taking right now," he said. "It’s a decisive event that is going to outline the fate of our society."

Samir Aâgi, a computer engineer, said the big losers will undoubtedly be the administrative parties who "have been assisted by the state during each electoral term. Now, by guaranteeing the transparency of the electoral process, the results are surely going to change."

Nora Sellami, a lawyer, tells the same story. According to her, citizens have noticed that corruption has considerably decreased this time. "Consequently," she said, "the results, that were shaped in a large part by the use of dirty money, are going to be changed in favour of other parties, notably those on the left."

On the other hand, some Moroccans continue to shun politics in general, and the elections in particular. Some citizens feel that the elections have never changed anything in their lives and they see no reason to vote.

"When I was 18 I did not vote because I was not educated of its importance. I was too busy with youth excitement and making jokes about the candidates," said Mounaim, a translator. "But when I grew older, I came to realize with a strong conviction that the candidates simply made false pledges." He said he is "very unlikely" to vote in Friday's election. "One vital point is the corruption of the judiciary, the recourse for any grievance," he said.

One graduate said: "Things are changing and I learned that you have to make some noise to make things change. My vote may not make a big difference today, but … people have to understand that it takes more than once."