Counting is under way in parliamentary elections in Morocco, with provisional figures suggesting a low turnout.
Opposition Islamists in Morocco claim they are on course to emerge as the largest party from the parliamentary polls, based on initial results.
The main opposition, the Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD), is expected to do well.
The Party of Justice and Development (PJD) alleged its weaker-than-expected gains so far were down to the ruling secular elite buying votes.
While many parties have struggled to mobilise support, the PJD seems to have had an impact in local constituencies.
PJD leader Saadeddine Othmani insisted: "We will still be the biggest party."
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.
The PJD has sought to convince outsiders they are not extremists who would make Morocco an Islamic state.
We must vote for a party that is not afraid to show that Islam and politics are friends Abdelkrim Hezraf
Its leaders said that based on partial results from Friday's vote, they would win between 52 and 55 seats, up from 42 seats in the outgoing parliament.
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.
However, they had been hoping to double their seats in the 325-seat parliament.
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.
Poor turnout
They say King Mohammed VI would be unlikely to name a PJD prime minister, even if it becomes the largest party in parliament.
The official result is expected to be known on Sunday.
Dissatisfaction
Voters chose candidates from more than 30 parties, about a dozen of whom were expected to make it to parliament.
The BBC's Richard Hamilton in the capital, Rabat, says the Ministry of Interior did not dwell on the turnout figures describing them simply as low.
Political analysts say the PJD, which ran on an anti-corruption ticket, could win cabinet seats if it does emerge as the biggest party.
The PJD could benefit from popular discontentThis was supposed to be Morocco's big day of democracy but the fact that most people stayed away will be seen as an embarrassing disappointment, our correspondent says.
The centre-left USFP won the last election, and was joined by conservative-leaning Istiqlal in a ruling coalition.
But he says it was also no mean feat that the polls were conducted without extremists resorting to acts of terrorism.
Morocco has escaped the violence that besets Algeria next doorTurnout was estimated at 41% of the 15 million voters, the lowest in Morocco's young democratic history.
In April, five suspected Islamic militants blew themselves up in the city of Casablanca, and Morocco subsequently raised its terror alert to the highest level.
But since most power is still held by the monarchy in Morocco, analysts say it is not the elections that need attention but constitutional reform.
Final results are expected on Sunday. It is thought the PJD could benefit from a low turnout because it is very good at mobilising its own supporters.
The BBC's Richard Hamilton in the capital, Rabat, says it was no mean feat that the polls were spared disruption from extremists.
Although there are 33 political parties competing for the 325 seats, the real battle lies between the mainstream parties of the governing coalition and the Islamists, our correspondent says.
Morocco has escaped the kind of unrest that plagues neighbouring Algeria, where a car bomb on Saturday killed nearly 30 people.
The coalition is dominated by secular nationalists from the original party of independence and two socialist parties.
Many Moroccans feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, our correspondent says.
They are trying to fend off a major challenge from the opposition PJD, which is riding on a wave of dissatisfaction with the administration.
PJD leaders have visited Washington to defuse any fears that the party could harbour a secret radical agenda.
American interest
Just days ago, the US granted nearly $700m (£350m) in economic aid to Morocco.
Many people feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, our correspondent says.
The US is keen to encourage moderates to counter the threat posed by more extreme movements in North Africa, say political observers.
And although the PJD is promising to tackle these issues, as are most of the other parties, a large proportion of the population does not believe them, he says.
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.
International observers from the US organisation the National Democratic Institute are keeping an eye on the process.
