Junta preparing to conduct census in Arakan State

By Admin 28 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 June 2024, Sittw

Myanmar’s military regime is preparing to conduct a population census to compile voter lists for its proposed poll in Arakan State, where it has ceded nine townships to the Arakkha Army (AA) in ongoing conflict with the ethnic armed group.

Junta officials erected a signboard informing of the planned population census outside U Ottama Park in Sittwe Town on Thursday. It was signed by junta-appointed Arakan State chief minister U Htein Lin.

The census will be conducted from October 1 to October 15. The regime said the census is intended to collect demographic data important for designing policies and running public services.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing said on June 15 that the regime would be conducting a population census for his proposed poll.

One social activist from Arakan State said: “Only Gwa and Manaung are under the full control of the military council in Arakan State. How can it conduct a population census?”

The AA has seized nine townships in Arakan State in the course of the latest fighting. The two sides are engaged in fierce fighting in Maungdaw, Ann, Thandwe and Taungup townships, which for now remain under regime control. Military tensions are also running high in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships. Gwa and Manaung townships are, however, relatively stable.

“The junta boss is rushing to hold an election thinking that it would help him get out of the current crisis. While millions are displaced by fighting across the country, it is impossible to hold an election,” said one politician.

The last national population census was conducted in 2014. According to that census, Myanmar had a population of 51.94 million people — 24.82 million men and 26.66 million women.