Junta Central Electoral travel spending questioned by Dominican groups in Spain

Dominican organizations residing in Spain are questioning the Junta Central Electoral (JCE) regarding the expenditure of RD$32.3 million (approximately US$529,438) on per diems and business class airfare between January 2025 and July 2026.

According to data provided by the JCE, members participated in 71 official missions across 23 countries, accumulating 472 days abroad. During these missions, officials received a daily per diem of US$800. One specific point of contention involves magistrates Hirayda Marcelle Fernández Guzmán and Samir Rafael Chami Isa, who each received US$12,000 in per diems for a 15-day cybersecurity training mission in León, Spain, in July.

Critics, including Nirka de la Rosa of the Asociación de Dominicanos en Fuenlabrada, noted that the daily US$800 rate exceeds the monthly minimum wage in Spain. Political analyst Luis Columna highlighted the disparity by noting that Dominican students on MESCyT scholarships in Spain receive between US$750 and US$800 per month, whereas a magistrate receives that same amount for a single day of training. Community leaders expressed concern that such disproportionate spending on public resources could discourage the diaspora from participating in future electoral processes.