1972 Moroccan constitutional referendum explained

Date:1 March 1972
Country:Morocco
Yes:4,434,850
No:55,737
Invalid:29,336
Electorate:4,862,009

A constitutional referendum was held in Morocco on 1 March 1972.[1] The new constitution replaced that approved by referendum in 1970, and was drawn up after an attempted coup in July 1971 forced King Hassan II to accept the need for a broader government (the previous constitution had limited directly elected seats to only 90 of the 240 in Parliament).[2]

The constitution was approved by 98.8% of voters with a 93% turnout,[3] and was promulgated on 10 March.[1] Elections were scheduled for May. However, they were then indefinitely postponed, and did not take place until 1977.[4]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For4,434,85998.8
Against55,7371.2
Invalid/blank votes29,276
Total4,519,923100
Registered voters/turnout4,862,00993.0
Source: Nohlen et al.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.parlement.ma/fe/_file31.php?filename=200712101446500 Historic overview of the Moroccan parliamentary experience
  2. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Morocco-HISTORY.html History - Morocco
  3. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p632
  4. http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/MOROCCO_1977_E.PDF Morocco