Signs of delay to the 2025 audit; COPE and COPA work at a complete standstill

2026-01-25 - 21:09

Reports indicate that the commencement of preparations for the main audit report for the year 2025 is at risk of being delayed due to the failure to appoint an Auditor General. The relevant report is required to be issued before 31 May. In addition, it is said that the submission of around 60 audit reports relating to state institutions, as well as approximately 70 audit reports that are required to be tabled in Parliament, has already been delayed. Due to the non-submission of audit reports, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), which conduct investigations based on these reports, have come to a complete standstill. According to the Standing Orders of Parliament, both committees can function only if an Auditor General is in office. It is further reported that, as the financial control functions of the National Audit Office have also been disrupted, these responsibilities have been assigned by the President to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. As the absence of an Auditor General has led to a number of serious crises, Opposition Members of Parliament are repeatedly urging the government to take immediate steps to fill the vacant post.