09/09/2007
Provisional results of the Morocco's legislative elections released Saturday (September 8th) indicate the conservative Istiqlal party, having won 52 seats, will be the most represented party in the 325-seat legislative body. Despite expectations of landslide victory for Islamist parties, the Justice and Development party (PJD) took only 47 seats and the Popular Movement (MP) only 43 seats. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) took 38 and 36 seats, respectively.
Estimations on Friday night that voter participation totalled 41% were later adjusted and Interior Minister announced on Saturday evening that overall turnout reached approximately 37%. Initial reports from international observers led by Bolivian President Jorge Fernando Quiroga Ramirez noted that with the exception of isolated irregularities, the elections were conducted with "strict transparency and professionalism".