People of Morocco Approved the Constitutional Reforms with a 98 Percent Vote

People of Morocco (North African country) on 1 July 2011 approved the constitutional reforms which is expected to bring democratic reforms in the country.

According to an official estimate, 98 percent of voters on the day of referendum voted to approve the constitutional reforms, with a 72 percent of the 13 million registered voters casting their votes.

King of Morocco, Mohammed VI had announced his proposed reforms in June 2011 according to which his power would be limited while strengthening the prime minister’s office and the parliament.

However, the critics said the new constitution has not limited the power of Mohammed because he can still choose the Prime Minister from the party that won the elections and continue to oversee the Morocco’s judiciary, security apparatus and religious matters. Moreover, He can dissolve parliament, though not unilaterally.

In February 2011, Morocco also experinced pro-democracy demonstrations along with other Arab world nations. But its intensity was less in comparison to nations like Egypt and Tunisia which toppled the rulers there.

 King Mohammed VI became the king of Morocco in 1999. He belongs to the Arab world’s longest serving dynasty. At present, he holds all the power in Morocco and is its top religious authority.