Court of Audit: $2.6 Million Unjustified Public Funds from 18 Parties

Rabat – The financial landscape of Morocco’s political parties underwent scrutiny as the Court of Audit, the country’s independent public finance watchdog, released its 2022 report.

The report delves into the examination of party resources, spending, and adherence to legal obligations, offering valuable insights into the financial health of these organizations.

A significant shift was observed in the source of party funding, with state support surging to 53% of total resources in 2022 compared to the previous year.

This increase came at the cost of a 22% decline in own resources, primarily membership fees and donations, which can be attributed to the year not being an election cycle.

Notably, 16 parties were deemed ineligible for the annual state support due to non-compliance with established legal requirements.

The report also identified a concerning trend of unjustified public funds. An estimated 26.31 million dirhams ($2.6 million) were deemed unwarranted and marked for recovery from 18 parties.

These funds were granted due to various reasons, including being deemed undue support, not being used for their intended purposes, or lacking proper supporting documentation.

However, the report acknowledges the efforts of 22 parties who have already returned a total of 37.48 million dirhams ($3.7 million) in unjustified funds.

Furthermore, the Court raised concerns regarding the documentation provided to justify expenses, particularly for management fees and those related to the additional annual support granted for studies, missions, and research.

A significant portion, around 26% of declared expenses, lacked sufficient documentation, with management fees taking the lead in unsupported costs.

Despite some positive advancements, such as an increase in parties submitting accounts electronically and a rise in the number of accounts certified by chartered accountants compared to 2021, five parties failed to submit their accounts altogether, while eight others missed the deadline.

Additionally, four parties submitted accounts lacking the mandatory chartered accountant report.

The Court of Audit’s report provides valuable insights into the financial health of political parties in Morocco. While increased transparency in submissions and account certification is encouraging, concerns regarding unjustified public support and documentation deficiencies require further attention.

The Court’s recommendations and future audits will be crucial in ensuring accountability and responsible use of public funds by political parties.