Morocco braced to consolidate democracy through coming elections, Moroccan premier

Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, renewed on Thursday the government's resolve to endeavor so that the coming elections consecrate the democratic process and civil liberties, as part of the rule of law guaranteed by King Mohammed VI.

The prime minister who made a government declaration at the chamber of representatives to evaluate the government's action in the past eight months, vowed that the government will "create an appropriate political atmosphere, take all organizational and material measures and mobilize the administrative and security bodies to guarantee free and transparent elections." He added that the government is also committed to have democracy prevail over all other considerations and interests.

Morocco will be holding elections to chose members of urban and rural communes, prefectoral and provincial assemblies, regional councils, representatives of professional chambers and of wage-earners and renewal of one third of the chamber of advisors (upper parliamentary chamber).

Jettou stressed that this electoral agenda will consolidate the democratic process and constitute a source of pride for all Moroccans and a reply to all champions of obscurantism and despotism.

The prime minister also hoped that the coming elections will be a new opportunity to increase the presence of women in elected bodies, in a natural continuation of achievements covered so far regarding the presence of women in the House of representatives.

For the government, he insisted, the participation of women in political, economic and social life in Morocco is a must if Morocco is to win future challenges.