Mizzima-Sept 4
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s military council, announced plans for a nationwide census to collect data on the population and household contents. The census is scheduled to be conducted from 1 to 15 October and cover all regions and states, despite the military council’s shrinking control over some areas, including parts of Rakhine State and northern Shan State. Speaking on 1 September during a ceremony marking the 2024 Population and Housing Census, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the importance of this census for national planning and governance. He highlighted that extensive preparatory work has been underway for years, ensuring readiness for the upcoming census. The Senior General also stressed the significance of this census in ensuring an accurate voter list. This is a critical component for conducting the general election, which remains a key objective of the military council. He called on the public to cooperate fully with enumerators, urging residents to provide accurate information during household visits. Despite the assurance of nationwide coverage, the Senior General did not address specific challenges in areas with limited or contested control. This leaves questions about the feasibility of conducting the census in those regions. The 2024 census will be based on an estimated population of over 56 million and approximately 13 million households. According to the Central Census Commission of the Military Council, around 110,000 enumeration boxes will be deployed nationwide, managed by approximately 42,000 enumerators. The Population and Household Census Law, issued in 2023, guarantees the protection of individuals’ biometric data. The census aims to provide insights into the current population distribution, education levels, and living conditions across the country. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/09/04/13577
