Dominican Electoral Board Spent $35,922 on 14-Day European Trip for Two Members

The Dominican Central Electoral Board (JCE) spent $35,922.60 on a two-week technical mission for two of its members to Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The trip in March 2026, two years before the next presidential and congressional elections, aimed to receive proposals from candidates for the Electoral Logistics Coordination Offices Abroad (Oclee).

The significant expenditure contrasts sharply with the low Dominican voter turnout in these European countries during the 2024 presidential elections. For instance, only 1,732 people voted in Switzerland. Across the four nations, out of 140,242 registered voters, only 37,079, or 26.44%, cast ballots.

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The mission was carried out in March 2026, two years before the next presidential and congressional elections, and its purpose was to receive proposals from candidates for the Oclee.

Details show the $35,922.60 covered only the two officials' expenses: $22,400 in per diems and $13,522.60 for business-class airfare. Each official received $800 daily for living expenses, accommodation, and incidentals. This amount surpasses the United Nations' reference rates for the destinations, which range from $327 to $478 per day.

While the UN rates are not binding for the JCE, the daily allowance is more than double the rate for the Netherlands and significantly higher than for Milan and Spanish cities. This mission was the second most expensive international trip reported by the JCE in the past 18 months, highlighting potential concerns about the cost of organizing overseas voting.

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The $800 daily allowance received by each magistrate for per diems exceeds the United Nations reference rates for the destinations of this mission.