google-site-verification=jrFRO6oYNLK1iKh3HkH_yKgws4mFcOFcPvOCyqbqAnk
Pakistan's Premier Multilingual News Agency

First-ever digital census of Pakistan started

According to a PBS representative, the next election will be conducted using new data.

Islamabad, 1 March 2023 (GNP): The new digital census, which is starting start nationwide today, will determine the constituencies for the upcoming general elections, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Sarwar Gondal stated that a digital platform where people can register their data was created on February 20. He added that to date, 4.3 million people have registered themselves.

According to Gondal, the self-enumeration phase began on February 20 and the census field operation will begin nationwide on March 1 (today). The data will be made available by April 30 and this procedure would be finished by April 1.

Also Read: Nine PTI leaders are detained for 30 days, LHC was told

The PBS is conducting the digital census. The National Technology Council (NTC), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), provincial governments, and the military forces also support it.

According to Gondal, 121,000 field enumerators have been instructed and sent out to conduct field operations. He also stated that each enumerator will be assisted by the military forces and escorted by a police officer.

 

Next election will be conducted using new data.   

“To conduct the census, 126,000 electronic devices will be used, and 495 Census Support Centers have been established across the nation. If the software or electrical equipment malfunctions, NADRA will offer help, the spokesperson stated.

The representative stated the census project had already begun. He continued by saying that the administration had established a committee for this purpose under the leadership of the vice-chairman of the Planning Commission.

Also Read: Government of Pakistan tax relief for foreign investors

Not just in Pakistan, but also throughout South Asia, the seventh census is the first to be conducted digitally. The information will be accurate following international standards and be utilized for both public policy formulation and constituency delineation in the upcoming general elections.

Provinces were to supply workers for the census, data storage, and security, he said, “We have the backing of all the partners and service providers, including the NTC.” he added.

Gondal stated that the expected overall expenditures for the census process are approximately Rs. 34 billion.

“The government remitted Rs. 10 billion, but the ECC is still handling the Rs. 24 billion issues. Thus, finance won’t be an issue, he continued.

With the Council of Common Interests’ and all the provinces’ permission, the work began (CCI). Gondal informed reporters that the CCI participants had no issues with the census approach.

google-site-verification=jrFRO6oYNLK1iKh3HkH_yKgws4mFcOFcPvOCyqbqAnk