Rabat, Morocco  - The controversial new "king's party" has won local elections in Morocco, the Interior Ministry announced Saturday.

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), formed by Fouad Ali el-Himma - a close friend of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, received about 22 per cent of the votes, the ministry said.

In second place, with about 19 per cent of the votes, was the nationalist conservative Istiqlal party of Prime Minister Abbas el- Fassi.

The centre-right Independent National Association (RNI) - a partner in the coalition government - got 15 per cent of the votes, while the Islamist Party for Justice and Development (PJD) trailed with 8.6 per cent.

PAM's victory has confirmed its place as a major new player on the Moroccan political scene. PAM and PJD are the biggest opposition parties at the national level.

The local elections were also seen as a test for el-Fassi's government. His Istiqlal party coming in second place meant a certain reaffirmation of the government, which had been accused of not having a solid programme despite the Moroccan economy weathering the global crisis fairly well.

However, analysts warned against linking the local elections too closely with national politics, pointing out that many Moroccans voted for people rather than parties.

About 13 million of the north African kingdom's more than 30 million residents were eligible to elect nearly 28,000 members to 1,500 municipal councils.

Voter turnout was 51 per cent, up from 37 per cent in the 2007 legislative elections, after heavy campaigning by the government to persuade citizens to vote.

A quota reserved at least 12 per cent of the communal council seats for women for the first time, up from less than 1 per cent in outgoing councils, as part of efforts by Mohammed VI to increase women's rights.

Women made up nearly 16 per cent of candidates, three times as much as in 2003.

Among the 30 parties taking part in the elections, PAM fielded the most candidates in a new challenge to the established Moroccan parties.

PAM, which has 46 members in the 325-member national parliament, was founded in 2008 by former delegate interior minister el-Himma, who studied with Mohammed VI.

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

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

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

PAM sought to consolidate its position by investing heavily in the local elections, by presenting itself as a fresh alternative. (dpa)