Court of Auditors implements new restrictions for access to public audits
The Chamber of Accounts of the Dominican Republic has generated various reactions following the implementation of new requirements to consult and download its audit reports through its transparency portal. This measure has sparked concern regarding the agility and openness with which the public and the media can access the oversight of State resources.
Under the new scheme, users who wish to obtain documents regarding the financial management of public institutions must comply with a prior protocol that includes providing an email address, creating a security password, and filling out digital forms. These additional steps have been pointed out as potential obstacles to transparency, considering that audits are fundamental instruments of social control.
Difficulties in accessing relevant reports
Various sectors have reported technical issues when attempting to access specific documents. A recent example occurred with the detailed audit report of the Senate of the Republic for the 2020-2024 period, which presented problems for its effective download due to new system restrictions.
The implementation of these digital barriers raises questions about whether direct access to public information is being limited, contravening the principles of transparency and accountability that should govern state entities.
The role of state oversight
As a constitutional body responsible for the external control of public resources, the work of the Chamber of Accounts is vital to ensure the correct use of state assets. The imposition of these registration mechanisms has been questioned by organizations and journalists, who warn about the negative impact this could have on the oversight of public management.
- Requirement of prior registration with email and password.
- Need to complete digital forms before viewing documents.
- Reports of technical failures in downloading institutional audit reports.
As of the closing of this note, the institution has not issued an official explanation detailing the technical or administrative reasons behind these new filters, nor has it commented on the difficulties reported by users when attempting to access Senate files.
