Moroccans voted yesterday in a referendum on curbing the near absolute powers of King Mohammed VI, who has offered reforms following protests inspired by pro-democracy uprisings around the Arab world.

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 of the north African country.

Under a draft Constitution voted yesterday, the king would remain Head of State, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco, but the prime minister, who would be chosen from the largest party elected to Parliament, would take over as the head of the government.

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

Analysts say there is little doubt voters will approve the new constitution, with the only concern being whether turnout will be high enough to ensure the referendum result’s credibility.

After casting his ballot, Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi told reporters the new constitution would “propel Morocco into the ranks of democratic countries,” the official MAP news agency reported.

Amid sweltering heat, voting appeared light early in the day, but turnout was expected to grow after midday prayers. The interior ministry said participation was at 39 percent as of 2 p.m. local time (1300 GMT).

At a polling station at a school in Sale, a city close to the capital Rabat, voter Youssef Ghanmi, a 35-year-old driver, said he had backed the king’s reforms.