Officials and the president of the polling station count the ballots in a polling station in Rabat, July 1, 2011. — Photo by AP

RABAT: Moroccans on Friday overwhelmingly approved curbs on the near absolute powers of King Mohammed VI, with 98 per cent voting “yes” in a referendum put forward after protests inspired by uprisings in the Arab world.

Interior Minister Taib Cherkaoui announced the result on state television after 94 per cent of polling stations had reported results, adding that voter turnout had been 72.65 per cent.

Faced with demonstrations modelled on those that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, Mohammed VI announced the referendum last month to devolve some of his powers to the prime minister and parliament, saying the reform would “consolidate the pillars of a constitutional monarchy.”

Critics were quick to denounce the result and the youth-based February 20 Movement, which organised the weeks of pro-democracy protests, announced it would hold another demonstration on Sunday.

“The movement will demonstrate peacefully on Sunday to protest against this ridiculous result,” Najib Chaouki, one of the movement's leaders, told AFP.

“This referendum was illegal because it was marked by massive violations of democratic principles,” he said.

Cherkaoui insisted the vote had been conducted properly and said it reflected widespread support for the new constitution.

“The referendum went ahead in a normal atmosphere, and showed the degree of interaction between the people and the content of the constitutional project,” he said.

In a clear bid to show the vote was supported by the young, Cherkaoui also noted that 30 per cent of voters were under the age of 35.

The United States had hailed the referendum on Friday, with State Department spokesman Mark Toner telling reporters it was “an important step in Morocco's ongoing democratic development.”

“In this period of profound change, we think it's important and we congratulate the people of Morocco and their leadership for the peaceful referendum,” he said.

Under the draft constitution, the king will remain head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco.

But the prime minister, chosen from the largest party elected to parliament, will take over as the head of government.

State television showed Mohammed VI, dressed in traditional Moroccan robes and wearing a red Fez hat, cast his ballot in the capital Rabat. He made no public statement.