The military junta’s 2024 population and housing census in Mon State has not been conducted as planned, according to those involved in the process.
According to the State Census Committee, out of the more than 3,600 designated census zones in Mon State, only around 2,600 have been covered. Those working on the ground indicate that the census has not been fully conducted as the junta intended.
“In many villages, it was impossible to gather complete data. For example, in a village of ten sections, we were only able to collect information from one section. Once we recorded what we could, the process was considered complete. Reaching the high numbers the junta expects is just not feasible,” said one census worker.
The military junta initially set October 1st to the 15th as the time period for the census, but due to incomplete data collection, the process was extended until the end of October.
Local sources report that in conflict-affected areas of Mon State, particularly where military clashes are ongoing, census workers have yet to arrive.
"I've been at home the whole time, but no one has come to collect the census. They said the last day was the 15th, but no one came, and the village Administrator hasn’t told us anything either,” said a resident from Anin village, Thanbyuzayat Township.
The Central Census Commission has urged those who haven’t yet been counted to contact their local or village census committee for follow-up.
A resident from Thanbyuzayat Township criticized the process, noting that security concerns and lack of public cooperation have made the census inaccurate. "People fear that the junta could use the census data for military conscription, so they refuse to give accurate information. Many people have even temporarily left their homes to avoid being counted," said the resident.
Political analysts have also expressed doubts about the credibility of the voter lists that will be compiled based on this flawed census data, suggesting that the inaccuracies will likely lead to unreliable voter rolls for future elections.
