{"id":1291190,"date":"2023-10-24T19:46:30","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:46:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/myanmar\/census-10242023154556.html"},"modified":"2023-10-24T19:46:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:46:30","slug":"pilot-opposition-suggests-no-meaningful-census-for-myanmar-polls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/10\/24\/pilot-opposition-suggests-no-meaningful-census-for-myanmar-polls\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot opposition suggests no meaningful census for Myanmar polls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n
Public opposition to a pilot census program conducted by Myanmar\u2019s junta this month has been so strong that the likelihood of a meaningful survey ahead of planned elections is extremely slim, according to experts.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The junta hopes to carry out a survey to get an accurate headcount in the lead up to polls it wants to legitimize its grip on power following the military\u2019s Feb. 1, 2021, coup d\u2019etat, but critics say any vote would be neither free nor fair.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Earlier this month, pro-junta media reported that a pilot census was being conducted from Oct. 1-15 in 20 townships in Naypitaw and 14 regions and states around the country.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But members of the public told RFA Burmese that they have other, more pressing concerns on their minds, while the anti-junta People\u2019s Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitary group has vowed to do whatever it takes to stop it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPeople aren\u2019t interested [in the census], because it is being done by the junta,\u201d said Tun Myint who, like others interviewed for this report, used a pseudonym due to security concerns. \u201cPeople are struggling to earn a living, so they are interested in neither elections nor a census.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The resident of Yangon region\u2019s Dagon Myohit township said junta authorities had been going door to door during the pilot program, taking the names of the heads of households and questioning occupants about whether or not they live there.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRegardless, the people are not cooperating,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prior censuses have been conducted by respective ward administrators, sources said, but this time, only a handful of staff from the census bureau have been interviewing residents, along with junta soldiers in plain clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n San Oo, of Mandalay\u2019s Pyi Gyi Tagon township said that while his area was on the list for this year\u2019s pilot census, he hasn\u2019t seen anyone conducting it there.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn 2022, they already carried out a headcount, but now they are saying they will do it again,\u201d he said. \u201c[Last year] the heads of wards timidly went from house to house to take the lists [because they knew no one wanted to take part] \u2026 This year, there has been no household survey yet [because of the strong opposition].\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PDF attack on pollers<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While the public is rejecting the newest census effort, the PDF has said it will take action to prevent it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Oct. 6, PDF forces attacked a group that traveled to Monywa city\u2019s Tha Pyay Taw village to conduct a survey as part of the pilot project. The attack left one police officer dead and another one wounded, residents told RFA.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n