Top Reasons Why Moroccans Should Vote Massively In Upcoming Elections – OpEd

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The proposed regionalization in Morocco, is a revolution compared to all previous conceptions of decentralization. This is a new architecture that breaks with the past, both in its conception, its goals, expectations, as its objectives. This is one step in a continuing process of democratization of the political and social life

On the democratic essence, this regionalization goal will strengthen the role of the region in Morocco, which implies major changes in the distribution of powers between central and local actors. It is the transfer of powers from the center to the periphery and will multiply decision centers and bring them closer to people. In this sense, the principles of decision-making autonomy and financial autonomy will be an important step forward in the path of consecration effective powers in the region.

It is generally known that while democracy involves much more than holding elections, voting is a convenient venue to send a powerful message to governments and political parties. The more votes, the more powerful the message is. In other words, every vote counts.

As Moroccan citizens this is our opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions. action, platforms and to have a say in important issues that affect our communities. On Election Day, every vote matters.

In the past many Moroccans often preferred not to vote because they felt their vote didn’t count, but one vote does count in many ways. In local and national elections, lawmakers are elected who make laws, policies, and appointments that will have effects for years to come. The most common reason people say they do not vote is, one vote does not count, but it does. If everyone used an excuse and did not vote, what kind of elected councils would we have?

People should understand that their votes help determine who will shape local policies, urban and rural management in Morocco. The choice people make today, not to vote, could have far-reaching consequences in their own life. Permanent laws and inadequate management are made by those elected

So September 4, Moroccans will head massively towards the polls to elect new municipal councils, as a fore-runner to legislative elections in a year’s time.

These elections are expected to provide some indication as to the likely makeup of a future government, for, in Morocco, the winning party in the poll provides the premier – who then recommends his preferred cabinet to the king.

Since the country uses a proportional electoral system, government is always a coalition, so local elections often give useful hints as to how the electoral wind is blowing.

So Moroccans should be aware of the importance of voting and should all to come out and participate in the democractic process by exercising their voting rights. however, people should not accept any gifts and vote for the candidate they feel is right and judge the candidate by his/her ethics.

People should not do cast their votes for money. If we want to have good civic amenities and our areas to be clean, we should select good candidates cutting across party lines,

The citizens have the right to know everything about the institutions serving them, so that they may make the right decision and the right choice, said the sovereign in a speech on Thursday on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People.

The King highlighted the mission and role incumbent upon each and every institution and the impact it is set to have on the lives of citizens, underlining that the Government is responsible for implementing laws, developing public policies, drawing up sectoral plans and is also responsible for public administration. The King said: “The implementation of the advanced regionalization plan will be the cornerstone of Morocco’s unity and territorial integrity and will help us achieve social solidarity. The coming elections, which will be held in a few days, will be crucial for the future of Morocco, given the extensive powers granted by the Constitution and the law to regional councils and local communities.

The King added “Citizens should vote for competent, credible candidates, who are committed to serving the public good. I would like to say this to political parties as well as to candidates: the purpose sought from is not to hold senior positions, but to serve the citizens. To citizens, I would like to say this: voting is a right and a national duty, a major responsibility that has to be shouldered. It is a tool in your hands; you either use it to change the daily management of your affairs or to maintain the status quo, good or bad.

You should know that the direct election of the president and members of your region gives you the power to decide and to choose your representatives. Make a conscientious, responsible choice, for tomorrow you will have no right to complain of mismanagement or poor services.

It is matter of deep satisfaction that the number of newly registered voters is on the rise. It includes those who abstained from participating in elections in the past because they were not satisfied with the work of elected councils. Today, they want to use their right and fulfill their national duty, but many of them are still wondering who they should trust and vote for. Parties and candidates therefore have to convince them, show them how serious, pertinent and realistic their programs are, share their vision and communicate with them. In this regard, I call on civil society actors and unions to get deeply involved by urging citizens to participate in the electoral process.”

Since every era is determined by its men and women, the coming revolution will need honest elected representatives whose main concern is to serve the nation and the citizens who voted for them, the King said.

These upcoming elections will of be of strategic importance because they will reflect a standard and a methodology which should serve as a model for elections elsewhere. Moreover, they will be of strategic importance in that they will represent a process by which a nation could re-invigorate its economic and social dynamic through the devolution of democratic processes to every level and geographic aspect of society

King Mohammed VI advised all Moroccans to vote massively saying “the citizens’ power to protect their interests, find solutions to some of their problems, hold their representatives accountable and replace them, can be summarized in one word: “vote”.

Said Temsamani

Said Temsamani is a Moroccan political observer and consultant, who follows events in his country and across North Africa. He is a member of Washington Press Club.

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