Rabat, Morocco - Moroccans began voting Friday in local elections amid suspense over the results of a controversial new "king's party."

About 13 million of the north African kingdom's more than 30 million residents were eligible to elect 27,000 members to 1,500 municipal councils.

The elections coincided with a decentralization process giving greater powers to the local authorities, in areas ranging from infrastructure to tourism.

The elections were also seen as a test for centre-right Prime Minister Abbas el-Fassi's coalition government, which has been accused of lacking a solid programme despite Morocco's economy weathering the global crisis relatively well.

The economy will grow 5.4 per cent this year, according to the African Development Bank.

El-Fassi's nationalist Istiqlal and the socialist USFP, both of which are in the government, are currently the strongest parties on local level.

The established parties faced a new challenge from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM).

The party with 46 MPs in the 325-member parliament was founded in 2008 by former interior minister Fouad Ali el-Himma, who is known as a close friend of King Mohammed VI.

The party has drawn politicians of other parties who are said to be attracted by the power of el-Himma, analysts said.

Some analysts believe el-Himma represents royal interests, while others accuse him of taking advantage of his reputation as a man close to the palace.

PAM has surpassed the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) as the biggest national opposition party, and withdrew its support from the government, making it lose its majority in May.

PAM is wielding a large number of candidates on the local elections, after a campaign presenting it as a fresh alternative, and on promises to implicate local leaders in development programmes.

The party is wooing voters disillusioned with local politicians, who are often accused of self-interest and incompetence.

The Islamist PJD was expected to do well in urban rather than rural areas.

A quota reserved at least 12 per cent of the communal council seats for women.

Final election results were not expected until Saturday morning. (dpa)