Census-taking training course kicks off in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 06 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
6 September 2024, Kyaukphyu

The regime is conducting a 10-day instructor training course in Kyaukphyu Town for census-taking in Kyaukphyu District.

The course on the 2024 population and housing census kicked off on September 3.

According to the new jurisdictional arrangements adopted by the regime, Kyaukphyu District now comprises Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships, though Ramree Township is currently under the control of the Arakkha Army (AA).

The regime has announced a nationwide population census from October 1-15 to compile voter lists for an election it plans to hold next year that critics have derided as a sham exercise in faux democracy. Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has urged people to provide correct data to census takers.

Observers say it will be difficult for the regime to conduct the population census except in the territory it still controls, and even then in many areas it will be impossible to get accurate data as the fighting has displaced millions of people.

Political analyst U Tun Kyi said: “The regime is desperate to hold an election because it is struggling to maintain its grip on power. The poll is quite unlikely. It is a huge challenge for the regime even to conduct the census.”

In Arakan State, where the AA has been fighting the regime for months, the ethnic armed group has seized control over the majority of the state’s 17 townships, with observers saying a meaningful census and subsequent election are therefore unlikely.

The junta’s election body has approved the registrations of the Arakan Front Party, Rakhine State National Unity Party, Mro Ethnic Party, Mro Ethnic Development Party, and Khami National Development Party in Arakan State.