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Notes
1 Even though 52.4 per cent stands favourably in comparison with the 37 per cent for the 2007 general elections, one has to bear in mind that the participation rate is calculated in terms of registered voters (13.4 million in 2009), not in terms of eligible voters (approximately 20 million). On top of that, the Ministry of the Interior passed some electoral changes in December 2008 which would automatically lead to an increase in voter turnout. The ministry took 3 million registered voters off the list, citing cases of double registrations or some other formalities. With just 1.7 million new registered voters, this means on balance 1.3 million fewer registered voters compared to 2007. So if the same amount of people actually went to the poll, it would still lead to a higher turnout, statistically speaking. Comparing the turnout with the local elections of 2003 (54 per cent) is thus meaningless. The voter participation was highest in the rural areas, with some areas reaching 70 per cent while for example Casablanca noted a mere 30 per cent voter participation.
2 Thereby proving again that the statement of the late Remy Leveau, that the Moroccan fellah (peasant) was the defender of the throne, still holds to a large degree (see Leveau, Citation1976: 238).
3 CDG is the government entity that invests Morocco's pension funds and is the leading institutional investor.