Junta-controlled 5 Arakanese towns begin census program

Kyaing Hein Lin, Narinjara News, 1 October 2024

Among the 17 townships in Arakan State, the population and housing census has begun today in urban areas under five towns, which are under the control of the military junta, for the upcoming election in 2025.

The census program begins in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Taungup, Ann and Manaung towns.

The residents reported that Sittwe and Taungup have undergone the census program without security restrictions.

A resident of Taungup said that although the  departmental staff began conducting the census, local people are not showing interest in it.

“The officials, including education staff, immigration personnel, ward clerks from the township peace & development council and ward administrators, are going to every household to collect the data. Many houses remain empty and some residents have not shown  interest in participating in the process,” he added.

In contrast, the residents reported that the census is being conducted under strict security in Ann, where the western command is located, and Kyaukpyu towns.

“Security personnel are stationed at various intersections. During the census, two policemen and two soldiers accompanied the concerned officials,” he stated.

In Gwa  the census is yet to be conducted. There has been no training for the census and there are no personnel available to pursue it. Everyone  fled the conflict to arrive in the Ayeyarwady region, said a local resident.

The residents from the junta controlled localities fled to safer places like Yangon, Ayeyarwady, etc.

In these towns, the junta officials are conducting the census digitally using mobile tablets.

The junta plans to complete the census by 15 October to prepare for the proposed national elections in 2025.

In Arakan State, the census could not be conducted in the areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), which include Pauktaw, Ramree, Myebon, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw towns as well as Paletwa of Chin State.