20111025
Press TV
Thousands of Moroccans have taken to streets across the North African country, calling for a boycott of parliamentary polls next month.

Riot police have clashed with around 3,000 protesters in front of the parliament building in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Sunday. Security forces beat and kicked protesters with batons, Reuters reported.

Inspired by the revolutions in the Arab world, similar protest rallies were staged in other major cities, including Casablanca, Fes and Tangiers.

These are the latest in a series of regular peaceful demonstrations by the youth-led opposition February 20 Movement.

“These nationwide protests were held around the common theme of calling for a boycott of November 25 parliamentary polls,” said Omar Radi, a political activist in Rabat.

“It is obvious that the polls will bring to power the same figures who have for years been plundering the wealth of the country and holding hostage the future of the Moroccan population,” he added.

Protest rallies have continued despite superficial reforms introduced by the US-backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

The despotic king announced the reforms in a bid to avert a major popular uprising in the North African country, similar to revolutions in regional states that led to the downfall of their ruling dictators.

In his recent speeches, the Moroccan king has promised that the parliamentary elections will be “fair and transparent.”

Moroccans are calling for deep political reforms and immediate action against corruption and nepotism.