Electoral operations have always been at the heart of a country’s political news. It is a crucial moment when democracy is expressed and citizens exercise their right to vote to choose their representatives. However, the management of finances and resources in the context of these operations can sometimes raise questions.
A comparative study carried out by the Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) has highlighted certain anomalies and questionable practices in budgetary management and public procurement during electoral cycles in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to this study, the expenses of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) increased by 25.1% between the 2016-2019 and 2021-2024 electoral cycles.
The report also highlights a significant gap between the funds declared as received by the CENI and those disbursed by the public treasury. This opaque practice of transferring funds to commercial banks, rather than through the Central Bank of Congo, raises concerns about money laundering and terrorist financing. In addition, the origin of the funds paid to the CENI remains unclear, and a lack of transparency is observed in the reporting of the Ministry of Finance.
Another problem noted in the report concerns the significant increase in CENI staff. Between 2020 and 2022, the number of permanent staff increased from 1,369 to 3,240, an increase of 57.7%. This raises questions about the legitimacy of these new hires and creates salary disparities between agents, with employees sometimes being better paid than their hierarchical superiors.
The report also highlights undue advantages granted to CENI political staff, in violation of the legal framework. Installation costs higher than the amounts set by law, irregular vehicle allocations, as well as illegal financing granted to NGOs and companies are mentioned. These practices which do not comply with the prerogatives of the CENI represent an inadequate use of public funds.
This CREFDL study corroborates the criticisms made by the opposition regarding the opaque management of finances intended for electoral operations. Faced with these worrying findings, it is essential to carry out an in-depth evaluation of the electoral process in order to guarantee the transparency, fairness and integrity of electoral operations.
It is crucial to emphasize that respect for the principles of good financial governance and transparency in the management of public funds are essential elements to strengthen citizen confidence in the electoral process and ensure the legitimacy of the results.. The DRC has the opportunity to chart a path where transparent management of electoral funds becomes the norm, thereby ensuring free, fair and democratic elections.