The junta has only attempted to conduct the census, in a haphazard way, in three towns in Chin State, an area mainly controlled by Chin revolutionary forces.
The junta discreetly carried out a limited census in wards of the Chin State state towns that it controls, Hakha, Falam and Tedim, but the way census data is being collected is irregular and haphazard.
A young woman from Hakha town said: “Last week, they collected data using a digital system for the Myothit, Zayhaung, and Chinoosee wards. They didn't even check the household registration list. They asked questions like, 'How many people live here?' 'What kind of toilet do you have?' and 'Do you own a TV?’. Furthermore, they didn't collect data from all households. It appears they are collecting data superficially because they are moving around secretly.”
In Tedim Town rather than go door to door census takers were going to one house and ask the inhabitants to guess how many people live in neighbouring houses. When people went to collect government distributed water they were told to take their household registration and the census takers just copied down the information.
A Tedim Town resident said: “They [census enumerators] went to the Myoma market and, under the pretext of water distribution, asked people to bring their household registration lists. That's how they collected census data. Moreover, they visit one house and then ask to estimate the number of people living in the neighbouring houses, collecting data in that manner. It’s not an open and straightforward collection; it’s not a direct door-to-door collection.”
A Falam Town resident said that the census had been carried out in some Falam Town wards, but not in others.
The junta did not take any census in the six Chin State townships of Tonzang, Thantlang, Matupi, Mindat, Kanpetlet, and Paletwa.
Chin revolutionary forces have warned that anyone participating in the junta's census collection will face severe consequences. In Tedim Town, Zoland People’s Defence Force (PDF) has arrested one individual involved in the junta’s collection of census data.
The junta is carrying out the census from 1 to 15 October and claims it is essential to draw up voter lists for its planned 2025 elections, which critics have said will not be free or fair and are just an attempt by the junta to legitimise its reign to the international community.
