Moroccans voted today in parliamentary polls expected to show gains for moderate Islamists pushing an anti-corruption message to voters.
A total of 15 million registered voters are choosing between 33 parties and dozens of independent candidates seeking seats in the 325-member assembly.
Analysts say the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) has a chance of winning cabinet seats if it emerges as the single biggest party. PJD leaders say they aim to win up to 80 seats, a big rise from their current strength of 42.
The party emphasises conservative family values and ethics in public life, a message that goes down well in lower-income suburbs of large cities.
But a complex voting system will make it almost impossible for any group to win a majority.
Some liberals fear the PJD wants Islamic rule, but the party calls al-Qaeda an "enemy", and some in the Moroccan establishment see the PJD's moderation as a religious bulwark against jihadists vowing attacks against "infidels".
Morocco and neighbouring Algeria have been hit by suicide bombings this year.
