Morocco's political parties embark on local poll campaign
Morocco, Politics, 8/29/2003

Moroccan parties started at midnight of on August 27th a 15-day campaign to convince voters of their programs and win their vote on poll day, September 12.

Morocco's sole Islamist authorized party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) decided to participate in the coming poll, fielding 4,268 candidates, covering 50 to 60 percent of all constituencies all over Morocco.

The PJD, created in 1967 by Abdelkerim Khatib (a physician), has 42 seats in the Moroccan house of representatives, a figure that makes of it the third major party in the Kingdom.

PJD denounced what it called "fierce campaign led by authority agents against the party's candidates in several provinces (.). This negatively impacted participation in these areas."

The party called for "prosecuting the authors of these breaches" and "make them respect law" during the electoral operation. It also urged all the concerned parties "to shoulder their responsibility and make the polls an opportunity for reinforcing the democratic choice."

The September 12 poll will be boycotted by the extreme left party of the Democratic and Socialist Vanguard. The party argued that a 1976 law governing local councils "includes legal obstacles that hinder local councils' role in carrying out their mission."

On a decision of the communication ministry to divide time dedicated for parties to promote their electoral campaign in public media, several parties deplored that it could lead to serious distortions that may compromise the honesty of the electoral process.

In an open letter to prime minister, Driss Jettou, parties said the decision "is in utter contradiction" with the electoral code and the joint circular note published last week by the interior and justice ministries and it "is far from securing the conditions for a loyal electoral competition between national parties."

The letter was signed by national secretaries of the parties of Choura, Istiqlal, Action (PA), the Social Center (PCS), Reform and Development as well as the party of Environment and Development (PED).

Previous Stories:
  Former Moroccan premier calls for banning use of money on polls   (8/28/2003)
  Race for local seats in Morocco set to start   (8/27/2003)
  Moroccan women encouraged to massively run for election in local poll   (8/27/2003)

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