{"id":451819,"date":"2011-07-01T14:43:31","date_gmt":"2011-07-01T14:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/07\/01\/dissidents-boycott-vote-on-new-constitution\/"},"modified":"2011-07-01T14:43:31","modified_gmt":"2011-07-01T14:43:31","slug":"dissidents-boycott-vote-on-new-constitution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/07\/01\/dissidents-boycott-vote-on-new-constitution\/","title":{"rendered":"Dissidents Boycott Vote on New Constitution"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Radio<\/a><\/p>\n

1 July 2011<\/p>\n

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has voted in the constitutional referendum he initiated after months of protests inspired by the Arab Spring. The youth-based 20 February Movement, which organised the demonstrations, has called for a boycott.<\/p>\n

Turnout was reported to be low on Friday morning but expected to pick up after prayers.<\/p>\n

Morocco’s main political parties, trade unions, civic groups and religious leaders have called for a “yes” vote to changes that will devolve some of the king’s powers but leave him head of state and chairing the cabinet.<\/p>\n

Pro-government media have campaigned hard for citizens to vote.<\/p>\n

But the 20 February Movement has called for a boycott, believing that the proposals do not go far enough.<\/p>\n

The key reforms proposed are:<\/p>\n