MOROCCO: VOTER REGISTRATION LAGGING

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000852 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017 TAGS: PGOV KDEM MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO: VOTER REGISTRATION LAGGING Classified by Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Poorer than expected results have prompted the GOM to extend by another week open season for voter registration. So far less than half of the anticipated three million new and updated registrations have been processed. This could be an early indicator of voter apathy, or worse, toward Morocco's first lower house elections in five years, scheduled for September 7. Lower registration will come as a disappointment to the GOM, which has worked hard to sign up new voters. Low turnout, possibly exacerbated by calls from some Islamists to sit out the polls, would be seen by many as an expression of public alienation from the existing political system. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Hassan Aghmari, Director for Elections at the Ministry of Interior (MOI),announced in early May that 1.4 million citizens have presented themselves at registration kiosks in place around the country since March. This figure represents a 10 percent increase in the number of registered voters in Morocco, which now stands at 14,518,750 of Morocco's total population of 33 million. However, the figure is less than half of the three million new and modified registrations MOI officials had earlier said they were hoping for. ¶3. (SBU) In hopes of increasing the number, the MOI last week announced an extension of the open season period until May 14, with registration kiosks remaining open on Saturdays and Sundays until 7 p.m. After registration closes, an updated voters roll will be posted on the MOI's innovative website. The website, launched earlier this spring, allows citizens to verify their registration and personal details online. ¶4. (SBU) This has also been the first year Moroccans living abroad have been allowed to register at Moroccan diplomatic facilities. Ads encouraging registration have run on satellite channels watched by Moroccan expatriates in Europe. (However, Moroccan citizens abroad still have to report to their home districts in the Kingdom to vote.) MOI contacts have earlier stressed to us their particular interest in attracting traditional non-voters, and their optimism that this could be achieved. ¶5. (C) Comment: The GOM has invested considerable effort in encouraging citizens to register and in publicizing the current registration period. The attainment of less than fifty percent of the target number of new and updated registrations counts as a disappointment, and could be an early indicator of voter apathy in the September polls, or worse, alienation. In a system where the powers of the parliament are limited, some voters have expressed a "why bother?" attitude. Low turnout figures are likely to be interpreted by GOM critics as a referendum on the current system. This factor could be exacerbated by the statements of the leadership of the influential (but unrecognized) Islamist Justice and Charity Organization, urging Moroccans not to vote absent wholesale constitutional reform. End comment. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** BUSH