Mizzima-Sept 16
The National Unity Government (NUG) has urged citizens to abstain from participating in the population census organized by the military council.
U Thein Oo, NUG Union Minister for Justice, stressed the importance of non-cooperation with the military-led census during a press conference on 11 September. He emphasized that the public should avoid involvement as much as possible. The conference, focused on interim law enforcement efforts, was held by the NUG’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Ministry of Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice.U Thein Oo stated that the military’s census primarily serves as a tool for population assessment under the Conscription Law, aiding military recruitment efforts. “We oppose this census. It should be rejected as a political stance. We believe it is part of a harmful agenda,” U Thein Oo said. Earlier, military council leader General Min Aung Hlaing announced plans on 1 September for a nationwide population and household census from 1 to 15 October. He claimed the census would ensure the accuracy of voter lists for an upcoming election, urging citizens to respond truthfully. However, NUG officials argue that the census is linked to the military council’s election plans, which they believe will worsen the country’s crisis rather than resolve it. “We have a clear stance of non-cooperation regarding the census related to this election,” said U Lwin Ko Lat, NUG Union Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration. The military council has announced that the 2024 Population and Housing Census will cover an estimated 56 million people and 13 million households. The census will audit 110,000 areas nationwide and involve around 42,000 data collectors. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/09/16/14005
