Moroccan Lawmakers Face Scrutiny Over Undeclared Assets, Court Sets 60-Day Deadline

Correspondence containing the list of parliamentarians who have not declared their assets was sent to the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, by the President of the Court of Auditors, Zineb El Adaoui, reports the Arabic-language daily Al Akhbar. In total, 21 current deputies and 140 other outgoing ones, mostly affiliated with the Party of Justice and Development (PJD), have not declared their assets. Among them, there are 21 parliamentarians who have not made their preliminary declarations after their election in the last legislative elections of September 8, 2021 or who have submitted their declarations outside the legal deadline, it is specified. There are also 140 parliamentarians who have not declared their assets after the end of their terms. They are mostly affiliated with the PJD. The President of the Court of Auditors has summoned the elected officials concerned to fulfill this obligation within a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of receipt of the reminder letter.

What does the law say? According to Law No. 54-06 instituting a mandatory declaration of assets of certain elected members of local councils and professional chambers as well as certain categories of civil servants or public agents, any deputy or councilor must make a declaration of the assets and assets in his possession upon taking office, during his activity and at the end of his term. Penalties are provided for in case of non-compliance with this obligation or the deadline for its filing.