Elections timetable readjusted on political parties request, official

The Moroccan electoral timetable was readjusted on the request of all Moroccan political parties, said Moroccan communication minister, Nabil Benabdellah arguing that between the end of the Iraqi conflict and the (initial date) of communal elections, the time span was a little short.

Benabdellah, who is also the government's official spokesman, told "Jeune Afrique L'Intelligent" weekly, published in Paris, political parties needed more time to run their campaigns in order to guarantee a high turnout.

To a question on whether Islamist parties' chances were boosted by the war in Iraq, the minister explained that it is normal that throughout the Arab World tensions entailed by the invasion of Iraq will beef up all forms of extremism, stressing that modern trends should be encouraged. "Only democracy and economic development are likely to foil these conservative instincts that advocate the refusal of the other."

King Mohammed VI has accepted last month a request by Prime minister, Driss Jettou, to revise the electoral timetable. Local elections will be held next September 12, as part of an electoral process that also includes electing professional chambers on July 25, wage-earners representatives between September 10 and 19, and prefectures and provinces assemblies on September 24.

Other polls will be held next October 6 to renew one third of the 270-seat Chamber of Advisors. Members of the Chamber are elected for a nine-year term. One third of the Chamber is renewed every three years.