Diario Libre says JCE response leaves key questions about Spain trip unanswered
The Newspaper Diario Libre says a response from the Dominican Republic’s Central Electoral Board (JCE) regarding questions over official trips abroad does not dispute the main figures reported about a 2025 cybersecurity training trip to Spain, but leaves important questions about the cost and duration of the mission unanswered.
The JCE sent the newspaper an extensive response defending the international responsibilities of the institution and the importance of cybersecurity. However, Diario Libre notes that the response does not dispute that JCE members Hirayda Fernández and Samir Chami Isa traveled to León from July 12 to 26, 2025, or that each received US$12,000 in per diem, at a rate of US$800 per day.
Combined with airfare, the trip cost US$33,294.27 for the two officials.
The newspaper also points out that the Cybersecurity Summer BootCamp ran from July 14 to 24, with approximately 40 hours of instruction, raising questions about what institutional activities justified the full 15 days for which per diem was paid.
Diario Libre says the JCE has indicated that it can document the itinerary, duration, travel and administrative reasons for the trip, and argues that making that documentation public would help clarify the issue.
Another outstanding question concerns Act 18/2005, which the JCE says established the US$800 daily per diem for its members. Diario Libre says it has been unable to locate the act publicly and is asking the JCE to publish it in full, along with the applicable per diem schedule and any subsequent modifications.
The newspaper also wants clarification on what the US$800 daily payment covers, including accommodation, meals, local transportation and incidental expenses, as well as whether officials are required to account for unused funds.
While acknowledging the JCE’s arguments regarding the importance of international electoral missions and cybersecurity training, Diario Libre maintains that the usefulness of a mission does not eliminate the need to examine its cost and efficiency.
The newspaper concludes that the issue is not whether international travel or cybersecurity training is justified, but whether public funds can be clearly accounted for and whether each trip produces identifiable institutional results.
It is now calling on the JCE to publish the relevant documentation, explain the per diem policy, detail the activities carried out during the 15-day stay and provide the concrete results of the mission.
Also read: JCE spent more than $34,000 on Spain trip for two members, Diario Libre reports
