Rabat, Morocco (TMT)- King Mohammed VI said on the sidelines of the the 62nd anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People speech that he understands why “many citizens take only scant interest in elections and do not participate in them”, further explaining that “it is because some elected officials do not fulfill their duties properly; in fact, some of these officials do not even know the people who voted for them.”
“Some of them [elected officials], however, think that their mission starts and ends with registering as candidates. Once they are elected, they disappear for years, only to show up at the following poll,” the Moroccan monarch added.
“Votes should not go to those who speak more or louder than others and repeat empty slogans; nor should they go to those who hand out a few dirhams during electoral campaigns and sell false promises to the citizens.
“Such acts are not only punishable by law, but they are also a blatant sign of disrespect for voters.
“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 elections 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.
“In short, 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”.”
The Moroccan Times.
