Rabat: The Islamist-rooted Justice and Development (PJD) expected to win the largest share of seats as the Moroccans voting in the first legislative elections since the introduction of constitutional reforms on Friday.
The election, the second in North Africa since the Arab Spring uprisings began, pits the moderately Islamist Justice and Development party against a coalition loyal to King Mohammed VI.
Opinion polls are not allowed but observers said the opposition Justice and Development Party would make strong gains after a similar success by a moderate Islamist party in Tunisia’s first democratic election a month ago.
In all, 31 parties are contesting for the 395 seats in the lower house of parliament — 70 more than during the last election in 2007.
“It’s crunch-time, really: a choice between the old style regime or some change,” said Lise Storm, a senior Middle East lecturer at Britain’s Exeter University.
“The rulers know they cannot continue to run public affairs the way they had been doing in the past.”
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