Voters in Morocco are going to the polls to elect a new parliament, with 33 parties competing for seats.
Voters in Morocco are going to the polls to elect a new parliament, with 33 parties competing for seats.
The main opposition, the Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD), is expected to do well in the polls.
The main opposition, the Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD), is expected to do well in the polls.
While many parties have struggled to mobilise support, the PJD seems to have had an impact in local constituencies.
While many parties have struggled to mobilise support, the PJD seems to have had an impact in local constituencies.
PJD leaders have sought to reassure outsiders that they are not extremists and would not turn Morocco into an Islamic state if they came to power.
PJD leaders have sought to reassure outsiders that they are not extremists and would not turn Morocco into an Islamic state if they came to power.
We must vote for a party that is not afraid to show that Islam and politics are friends Abdelkrim Hezraf Those leaders have also visited Washington and it is thought the US is keen to encourage moderate parties like the PJD to counter the threat posed by more radical movements.
We must vote for a party that is not afraid to show that Islam and politics are friends Abdelkrim Hezraf Those leaders have also visited Washington and it is thought the US is keen to encourage moderate parties like the PJD to counter the threat posed by more radical movements.
But analysts say since most power is still held by the monarchy in Morocco, it is not the elections that need attention but constitutional reform.
But analysts say since most power is still held by the monarchy in Morocco, it is not the elections that need attention but constitutional reform.
They say King Mohammed VI would be unlikely to name a PJD prime minister, even if it becomes the largest party in parliament.
They say King Mohammed VI would be unlikely to name a PJD prime minister, even if it becomes the largest party in parliament.
Dissatisfaction
Dissatisfaction
Although there are 33 political parties competing for the 325 seats in parliament, the BBC's Richard Hamilton in Rabat says the real battle lies between the mainstream parties of the governing coalition and the Islamists.
The BBC's Richard Hamilton in the capital, Rabat, says that turnout in cities seems to have been steady but not spectacular.
It is thought the PJD could benefit from a low turnout because it is very good at mobilising its own supporters, he says.
"We must vote for a party that is not afraid to show that Islam and politics are friends," Abdelkrim Hezraf, a 40-year-old worker for a pharmaceutical company waiting to vote at a polling station in a school in a middle-class district of Rabat, told the AP news agency.
Although there are 33 political parties competing for the 325 seats in parliament, the real battle lies between the mainstream parties of the governing coalition and the Islamists, our correspondent says.
The coalition is dominated by secular nationalists from the original party of independence and two socialist parties.
The coalition is dominated by secular nationalists from the original party of independence and two socialist parties.
They are trying to fend off a major challenge from the opposition PJD, which is riding on a wave of dissatisfaction with the administration.
They are trying to fend off a major challenge from the opposition PJD, which is riding on a wave of dissatisfaction with the administration.
"We must vote for a party that is not afraid to show that Islam and politics are friends," Abdelkrim Hezraf, a 40-year-old worker for a pharmaceutical company waiting to vote at a polling station in a school in a middle-class district of Rabat, told the AP news agency.
Many people feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, our correspondent says.
Many people feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, our correspondent says.
American interest
American interest
The PJD is promising to tackle these issues, as are most of the other parties.
The PJD is promising to tackle these issues, as are most of the other parties.
The problem is a large proportion of the population does not believe them, our correspondent says.
The problem is a large proportion of the population does not believe them, our correspondent says.
They say they no longer trust politicians and are likely to stay away from the polls.
They say they no longer trust politicians and are likely to stay away from the polls.
Just days ago, the US granted nearly $700m (£350m) in economic aid to Morocco, the largest amount ever granted to a single country under the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Just days ago, the US granted nearly $700m (£350m) in economic aid to Morocco, the largest amount ever granted to a single country under the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Keeping an eye on the electoral process are international observers from the US organisation the National Democratic Institute.
Keeping an eye on the electoral process are international observers from the US organisation the National Democratic Institute.
It is another example of American interest.
It is another example of American interest.
Are you voting in these elections? Do you think there should be constitutional reform in Morocco? Send in your comments.
Are you voting in these elections? Do you think there should be constitutional reform in Morocco? Send in your comments.
