In a concerning revelation, a recent report funded by the European Union sheds light on financial mismanagement within Congo's national election commission, CENI.
The report, conducted by the Centre for Research on Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL), highlights a failure to account for $400 million in funds received from the state, coupled with opaque procurement contracts preceding the disputed December general election.
Notably, the report urges the Congolese justice department to launch investigations into the handling of funds allocated to CENI for the electoral process.
The December poll, marred by technical glitches, missing materials, and a last-minute voting extension, has fueled disputes, with opposition candidates alleging fraud and advocating for a re-run.
According to the findings, CENI received nearly $1.1 billion in public funding between 2021 and 2023, yet only $711 million was approved in national budgets, leaving a significant $400 million unaccounted for. The report underscores the opaque nature of fund usage, with concerns raised about potential impacts on the election results.
Valery Madianga, a lead researcher and public finance expert, emphasized the opacity in the chain of fund utilization, suggesting a possible diversion into obscure channels. Furthermore, the report reveals that 45 out of 54 public contracts signed by the commission were awarded without tenders, raising questions about transparency and fair economic practices.
As this information unfolds, the electoral commission and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain silent, leaving critical questions unanswered.
The report underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process to ensure the integrity of democratic practices.