Morocco’s Court of Auditors revealed in its 2023-2024 annual report that 24 political parties failed to justify 26% of their total spending, amounting to 34.35 million dirhams. The report also noted that 474 candidates did not submit their campaign finance reports, resulting in their ineligibility for future elections.
The Court found that 29 political parties declared revenues of about 152.96 million dirhams for 2022, which included additional state support for activities such as missions, studies, and research. However, declared expenses totaled 130.65 million dirhams, creating a significant discrepancy.
The report identified several deficiencies in the documentation of funds collected by five parties, totaling 5.19 million dirhams. These parties could not provide proper legal documentation for 3.08 million dirhams in collected resources. In addition, amounts exceeding the legal limit for cash payments were reported, totaling 2.11 million dirhams.
The Court also pointed out that 24 parties were unable to justify 34.35 million dirhams in spending, with 17.25 million dirhams lacking proper documentation. Additionally, 1.46 million dirhams in spending was inadequately attributed to the parties, and 15.64 million dirhams in additional state aid lacked sufficient documentation.
The Court of Auditors recommended that the Ministry of the Interior organize training sessions for political party officials on the use of the unified accounting system. It also called for the creation of a guide to standardize accounting procedures and the development of a shared accounting information system to improve transparency and financial management.
As of November 13, 2024, 24 political parties and one union organization had refunded 38.40 million dirhams to the Treasury for unaccounted or unused state funds. Another 22 million dirhams remain to be returned by 13 parties and two union organizations.
In a separate matter, the Court took action to address 21 elected officials whose campaigns failed to submit reports, seeking annulments of their elections. The Court also referred 474 candidates to the Ministry of the Interior, marking them ineligible for the next elections to the House of Representatives, the House of Councillors, and territorial councils for two consecutive terms.
The Court’s findings highlight ongoing concerns over transparency and accountability in Morocco’s political landscape, calling for stronger measures to ensure compliance with legal and financial regulations.
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