Santo Domingo — Attorney Fanny Castillo Cedeño, legal representative of El Faro Latino and its director Esteban Cabrera, provided a detailed explanation of the ruling issued by the Fourth Chamber of the Tribunal Superior Administrativo, which orders the Junta Central Electoral to deliver financial records related to overseas voting in the 2024 elections.
Castillo described the decision as a victory for electoral transparency and for more than two million Dominicans living abroad. She explained that the process began with a formal request for public information submitted by El Faro Latino through the SAIP system, seeking documents related to expenditures, settlements, audits, and transfers made by the JCE to overseas logistics coordination offices.
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According to Castillo, the JCE failed to provide the full set of requested documents within the deadlines established by the Law on Free Access to Public Information. This led to a formal demand and subsequently to a compliance protection action. During the proceedings, the JCE argued that it had delivered all requested information, but the attorney stated that this claim did not match the case record, noting that key financial evidence, complete settlements, internal audits, and budget documents had not been provided.
After reviewing the arguments from both sides, the court determined that the JCE had not fulfilled its obligation to disclose the requested information. The ruling recognizes El Faro Latino’s standing as both a media outlet and a civic actor, validates the request, and concludes that the electoral body failed to comply with its legal and constitutional duties.
Castillo emphasized that the court ordered the full delivery of all requested documents and made clear that public institutions cannot fragment disclosures, withhold records, or limit access to information under their control. She added that the ruling reinforces the binding nature of the right to access public information and establishes that transparency in electoral matters is an institutional duty rather than a discretionary action.
Regarding practical implications, the attorney stated that the JCE is required to comply with the ruling promptly and without delay. She noted that failure to do so could result in legal consequences, including financial penalties, personal sanctions, additional legal actions, and administrative liability for contempt of a court order.
Castillo concluded that the decision sets a precedent in favor of the Dominican diaspora and strengthens public oversight of the electoral process. She reiterated that the JCE is legally obligated to deliver all outstanding documents and that El Faro Latino will continue to monitor transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to overseas voting.
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