By: Fatou Krubally
The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has given the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) 60 days to address financial and procurement irregularities identified in audit findings covering the 2020–2023 electoral cycle.
The directive follows the Committee’s review of the IEC’s Final Management Letter, which highlighted weaknesses in revenue management, procurement compliance and the administration of election funds.
According to the report, the Commission failed to remit more than D8.3 million collected from party registrations, nomination deposits and voter card replacement fees into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The funds were instead retained in commercial bank accounts without authorization from the Ministry of Finance, contrary to public finance regulations.
FPAC also noted the use of non-compliant receipt books and the failure to account for missing receipts valued at over D4.5 million. The Committee further raised concerns over the opening of multiple bank accounts without ministerial approval.
The report expressed concern over the management of election financing, particularly the extensive use of cash transactions. FPAC observed that nearly D199 million in election-related expenditures during the 2021–2023 period was processed through cash withdrawals made through Returning Officers’ personal accounts, a practice it described as lacking transparency and posing significant financial risks.
The Committee also identified procurement breaches, including an overpayment of more than US$85,000 to a contractor and non-compliance with procurement procedures in the award of contracts. It further noted that funds earmarked for donor-supported election activities, including fuel and project implementation, were either underutilized or diverted from their intended purposes.
FPAC directed the IEC to strengthen internal controls, ensure that election-related payments are processed through formal banking channels and recover any unretired or irregular expenditures. It also requested the submission of outstanding explanations, supporting documents and recovery plans within 60 days.
The Committee further recommended investigations by relevant authorities into suspected cases of mismanagement, including payments to unidentified staff, unaccounted allowances and unexplained balances retained by Returning Officers.
FPAC said implementation of its recommendations is necessary to strengthen accountability and restore public confidence in the management of electoral finances. It warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe could result in further legislative and investigative action.