Political party financial audits published in the Official Gazette

According to the decisions, financial audits were conducted for the Republican People's Party (CHP) for the year 2016, and for the Young Turkey Party, People's Voice Party, Birth Party, Beautiful Party, Rights and Justice Party, Republic and Justice Party, Felicity Party, Rise Party, and Republic Party for the year 2023.

The High Court decided that a total of 21,285 Turkish Lira and 75 kuruş, representing expenses not in compliance with the law during the examination of the CHP's 2016 final accounts, should be recorded as revenue for the Treasury from the party's assets.

It was stated that the party's 2016 income and expenses, excluding the amount recorded as revenue for the Treasury, were accurate, balanced, and in compliance with the Law on Political Parties.

The decision also included details regarding the 21,285 Turkish Lira and 75 kuruş difference that must be transferred to the Treasury.

Accordingly, the Constitutional Court, which examined the breakdown of paid traffic fines, determined that 21,285 Turkish Lira and 75 kuruş in traffic fines were paid during 2016.

The decision stated that while it is possible for the ordinary expenses of all vehicles used within the scope of political activities to be covered by the party budget and shown as expenses, it is not possible to accept expenses related to fines resulting from the failure of political party officials or employees to fulfill their legal obligations or their violation of legal norms as being within the scope of political activities.

The decision included the statement: "For the reasons explained, the total expense of 21,285 Turkish Lira and 75 kuruş, which arose from the payment of traffic fines resulting from personal fault by the Party, must be recorded as revenue for the Treasury in accordance with Article 75 of Law No. 2820."

FINANCIAL AUDITS OF OTHER PARTIES

The High Court stated that for these parties' 2023 final accounts, it was not possible to establish a record-keeping and documentation system that could be audited by the Constitutional Court based on the available information and documents, and that conducting income and expenses outside of the accounts constituted actions aimed at obstructing examination and investigation; therefore, the audit of the headquarters accounts could not be carried out.

The Court unanimously decided to file a criminal complaint with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for legal action to be taken against the party officials in accordance with the Law on Political Parties No. 2820.

News Source: AA