DRCongo: The 2023 elections cost more than USD 1 billion

The Le Congo unsure consortium (CNPAV), in collaboration with the Ebuteli Research Institute for Policy, Governance and Violence, hosted a public forum this Tuesday to address the growing challenge of electoral corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Titled “Electoral Corruption in the DRC: Lessons to Learn for the Future,” the event brought together researchers, journalists, civil society activists, political figures, and institutional representatives to reflect on the 2023 electoral process and discuss key reforms.

During the forum, the Ebuteli Institute presented alarming findings on the sharp increase in election-related spending. According to their report, the 2023 electoral cycle cost the DRC government an unprecedented USD 1.096 billion—nearly double the USD 540 million spent during the 2006 elections.

This drastic rise in expenses is partly attributed to the introduction of electronic voting devices (DEVs) in 2018. While each DEV cost around USD 1,500 at the time, the unit price soared to USD 4,225 in 2023, pushing the overall bill for voting machines alone to nearly USD 110 million. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which oversaw the procurement process, has been criticized for lack of transparency and potential overbilling.

“Since the return of multiparty democracy in 2006, the cost of organizing elections in the DRC has risen significantly,” the report states. “From USD 540 million in 2006 to USD 700 million in 2011, the expenditure crossed the billion-dollar mark in 2018 and increased again by 25.1% in 2023.”

The Centre for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) also highlighted weaknesses in government oversight, pointing to lapses in preventive financial control. Beyond the DEV procurement, Ebuteli flagged a dramatic rise in operational costs, such as mission allowances for electoral staff, which jumped from USD 915,000 to USD 7.1 million.

The forum participants voiced growing concern over the lack of financial transparency at CENI. To date, the commission has not released a comprehensive report on how electoral funds were utilized—fueling public suspicion and internal frustration among its leadership.

“The opacity in CENI’s financial management has even led to discontent within its own management team,” Ebuteli noted, calling the situation symptomatic of broader accountability failures within public institutions in the DRC.

To address these issues, the institute recommends subjecting CENI to dual independent audits: one conducted by a firm selected through international tender, and the other by the national Court of Auditors. The goal, they say, is to ensure accountability and improve the management of public funds dedicated to elections.

As the DRC moves toward future electoral cycles, stakeholders stress that learning from past mistakes and enhancing financial oversight will be essential to restoring public trust in the country’s democratic processes.