(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A large number of people in Morocco say they will cast a ballot in next month's legislative election, according to a poll by LMS-CSA. 69 per cent of respondents are absolutely sure of voting, while 13 per cent say there is a good chance they will take part in the democratic process.

An election to the 325-seat Assembly of Representatives is scheduled to take place on Sept. 7. 30 per cent of respondents think this ballot will be more transparent than the last one, while 19 per cent think it will be less transparent.

In the September 2002 election, the Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP) secured 50 seats, followed by the Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal) with 48, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) with 42, and the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 41. Another 18 parties secured seats in the legislature.

In October 2002, Driss Jettou was appointed by King Mohammed VI as prime minister. Jettou is not a member of any political party, but governs with the support of the USFP and the Independence Party. Jettou had previously served as finance minister and interior minister.

On Aug. 16, Frances Fitzgerald, who leads the monitoring mission organized by the United States-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, referred to a series of court cases involving journalists, declaring, "There have been notable challenges to press freedoms in advance of the elections."

Fitzgerald said some of the cases involve journalists who allegedly offended the King, adding, "None of these cases directly concerned election coverage. (...) The changing press environment could have an effect on the broader political debate and, thereby, work against the broader, key goal of strengthening democratic processes and institutions."

On Aug. 17, the registration for this year's election officially began. About 15.5 million adults are eligible to vote in Morocco.

Polling Data

Will you vote in the legislative election?

Do you think this election will be more transparent, just as transparent, or less transparent than the last one?

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