A round-up of public finance news stories from the Middle East and Africa you might have missed this week (May 27–31).

Audit accuses Tunisian Electoral Commission of overspending and mismanagement

A government audit released last week has renewed controversy over the official body tasked with organising Tunisia’s elections, accusing it of mismanaging public funds. New elections are supposed to occur later this year. (Tunisia Live)

Ballooning public sector wage bills from Accra to Cairo

The IMF and World Bank are worried about rising public spending on wages in African countries. They say that governments need to better evaluate the public sector. (The Africa Report)

Tanzania: tax-exempt firms face audit

Tanzania's Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee will consider including tax-exempted companies in the list of areas due for auditing in the Finance Bill, the committee chair, Mr Zitto Kabwe has said. (allafrica.com)

Namibia's poly council drags feet on audit

The forensic audit into the Polytechnic of Namibia’s spending and governance is yet to get under way, with the institution's delay in briefing Education Minister Dr David Namwandi said to be the biggest stumbling block. (informante.web.na, Namibia)

Former South African accountant general to head IT agency

South Africa's Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sithembiso Freeman Nomvalo as CEO of the State IT Agency and as executive member on its board for up to a year, while it seeks to fill the post on a longer-term basis. (itweb.co.za, South Africa)