A report on Central Electoral Board (JCE) finances indicates that the payroll has increased from RD$26 million under former JCE president Manuel Ramon Morel Cerda to RD$48 million under the present leadership of Luis Arias. The new board attributes the increase to rising wages. The Morel Cerda administration increased the payroll from RD$7 million as of 22 August 1998 to RD$26 million in 2003. Likewise, the JCE spent RD$201 million in 2004 on “unexpected expenses.” Taxpayers’ money has funded RD$1.46 billion in JCE expenditure, most of which was invested in preparations for the 2004 May election.