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In the run-up to the vote, the entrance to the centuries-old medina, where traditional food markets mix with stalls selling knock-off DVDs and imported clothes, has been festooned with a banner bearing the face of King Mohammed VI and reading: "The Merchants' Association of the Medina will vote 'Yes'".
In its winding streets, merchants and shoppers alike are keen to show support for the new constitution, which will curb the king's near absolute powers in favour of elected officials.
"This new constitution will bring many good things, like strengthening freedom of speech and human rights," said Abdelkrim Badoush, a 22-year-old selling CDs of traditional music.
"The king has given us an important new thing. We can be a good example to other Arab countries," he said.
Mohammed VI introduced the reform plan after thousands took to the streets in protests modelled on the Arab Spring uprisings that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
Under the new draft constitution to be voted on Friday, the king would remain head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco, but the prime minister, chosen from the largest party elected to parliament, would take over as head of the government.
The 47-year-old king, who in 1999 took over the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty, is a deeply revered figure in Morocco, and many in the medina were quick to praise him for introducing the reforms.
"I will vote yes to the constitution. It is something to congratulate ourselves on, to give thanks for to our king," said 75-year-old Lahcen Chnagui, as he sat surrounded by fresh dates, spices and dried fruit in one of the medina's stalls.
The main force behind the weeks of protest that led up to the offer of reforms, the youth-based February 20 Movement, has urged its supporters to boycott Friday's vote, saying the plan falls short of the full constitutional monarchy they demanded.
But as she picked her way through a rack of imported clothes, 20-year-old Raja Ait-Said said many of the country's youth were also supporting the reform.
"I hope that everyone will vote for this because it is in Morocco's interest," she said. "I don't think the young people from the February 20 movement have any more reason to complain. Reforms started in 2000 (shortly after Mohammed VI came to power) and they haven't stopped."
Still, experts say the widespread public support reflects a one-sided campaign that has offered no real alternative to voting "yes".
There has been no organised "no" campaign and those calling for a boycott have been ignored in the media.
The country's main political parties, unions and civic groups have all urged supporters to back the plan. Morocco's Islamic leaders have backed the project, with imams across the country reading out a text during last Friday's prayer saying it "offers all advantages to our society".
"The authorities are doing everything they can to ensure the constitution is approved, mobilising every group across the country to win support," said political analyst Mohammed Madani of Mohammed V University in Rabat.
"Those opposing the reform have not been given any forums, in the media or on the streets, to put forward their ideas," he said.
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In its winding streets, merchants and shoppers alike are keen to show support for the new constitution, which will curb the king's near absolute powers in favour of elected officials.
"This new constitution will bring many good things, like strengthening freedom of speech and human rights," said Abdelkrim Badoush, a 22-year-old selling CDs of traditional music.
"The king has given us an important new thing. We can be a good example to other Arab countries," he said.
Mohammed VI introduced the reform plan after thousands took to the streets in protests modelled on the Arab Spring uprisings that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
Under the new draft constitution to be voted on Friday, the king would remain head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco, but the prime minister, chosen from the largest party elected to parliament, would take over as head of the government.
The 47-year-old king, who in 1999 took over the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty, is a deeply revered figure in Morocco, and many in the medina were quick to praise him for introducing the reforms.
"I will vote yes to the constitution. It is something to congratulate ourselves on, to give thanks for to our king," said 75-year-old Lahcen Chnagui, as he sat surrounded by fresh dates, spices and dried fruit in one of the medina's stalls.
The main force behind the weeks of protest that led up to the offer of reforms, the youth-based February 20 Movement, has urged its supporters to boycott Friday's vote, saying the plan falls short of the full constitutional monarchy they demanded.
But as she picked her way through a rack of imported clothes, 20-year-old Raja Ait-Said said many of the country's youth were also supporting the reform.
"I hope that everyone will vote for this because it is in Morocco's interest," she said. "I don't think the young people from the February 20 movement have any more reason to complain. Reforms started in 2000 (shortly after Mohammed VI came to power) and they haven't stopped."
Still, experts say the widespread public support reflects a one-sided campaign that has offered no real alternative to voting "yes".
There has been no organised "no" campaign and those calling for a boycott have been ignored in the media.
The country's main political parties, unions and civic groups have all urged supporters to back the plan. Morocco's Islamic leaders have backed the project, with imams across the country reading out a text during last Friday's prayer saying it "offers all advantages to our society".
"The authorities are doing everything they can to ensure the constitution is approved, mobilising every group across the country to win support," said political analyst Mohammed Madani of Mohammed V University in Rabat.
"Those opposing the reform have not been given any forums, in the media or on the streets, to put forward their ideas," he said.
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