Census-taking underway in Arakan State

By Admin 01 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
1 October 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has begun census-taking in towns it still controls in Arakan State including Sittwe, Ann, Taungup, Kyaukphyu, Manaung and Gwa.

Junta departmental staff and administrative officials visited homes to conduct the population count in Ann Town on Tuesday, according to residents.

"We were told to stay in our homes for the census," said one Ann resident. "Teams comprising township administrators, ward administrators and department staff started taking the census this morning."

The regime also kicked off its census effort in Sittwe and Taungup towns on Tuesday, according to residents.

One Taungup woman said: "Department staff came to our ward and took the census. They said it is for the election. They checked our citizenship ID cards and household registration certificates. If those who are on the household registration certificate were not at home, they asked where they are now and what they are doing."

Census enumerators reportedly told residents to provide correct information, warning that punitive action would be taken against those giving false information.

Junta authorities also told people not to travel during the census, scheduled to take place from October 1-15.

In Kyaukphyu Town, the regime began census-taking in Alel Paing and Pike Seik wards, according to residents.

"Police provided security for enumerators. But they only stayed outside the houses," a man from Alel Paing Ward said. "A team comprising the township administrator and ward administrators went door to door. There might have been around 20 people."

There were 3.4 million people in Arakan State in October 2022, according to the junta's Immigration and Population Ministry.

The Arakkha Army (AA) has seized 10 out of 17 townships in Arakan State since launching an offensive against the military regime in November of last year.

The regime has said it will use the census data to compile voter lists for an election it plans to hold next year. It has also urged anti-regime groups to stop fighting and address political issues through political means, though no group that would fall within that category has yet responded to its offer for a peace dialogue.