Court of Audit: 17 Political Parties Should Return $2.5 Million in Public Funds

Rabat – The Court of Audit unveiled that 17 political parties in Morocco should return a total of MAD 25 million ($2.5 million) to the state treasury.

According to a report released on Thursday, the Court of Audits concluded that 17 out of the country’s 28 political parties have not yet returned public funds following the 2021 election campaign.

In addition, three trade unions should return MAD3 million ($300,000). The funds are considered undue or unused support, according to the Court’s findings.

The Court of Audit explained that out of the 28 political parties that received public support, 11 have already returned MAD 18 million ($1.8 million) to the state treasury. The funds were related to elections for the House of Representatives, the House of Councillors, and the councils of communes and regions.

However, the remaining 17 political parties and three trade unions are still required to return MAD 28 million ($2.8 million), equivalent to 12% of the funds the country allocated to financing election campaigns.

The report further shows that MAD 2 million ($200,000) of unreturned funds went to elections campaign for members of the House of Representatives, MAD 4.5 million ($450,000) to electing members of the House of Councillors, and MAD 21 million ($2.1 million) to the councils of communes and regions.

Detailing the unreturned funds by political parties, the report indicates that the Justice and Development Party (PJD) owes the highest amount at MAD 2.8 million ($280,000). The report shows that the PJD received an advance of MAD 8.9 million ($890,000), while the actual support it should have received, based on the number of votes and seats obtained, amounted to MAD 5.7 million ($570,000).

The PJD has returned a partial amount of a little over MAD 300,000 ($30,000) but still remains liable for a sum of MAD 2.8 million ($280,000).