Population census from Jun 15, digitally

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is set to digitally conduct its sixth population and housing census for the first time from June 15 to June 21.

The BBS made this announcement during a press briefing at National Economic Council yesterday.

"Around 3.7 lakh enumerators will collect the data countrywide. To measure the data quality, we will conduct a post-census survey in 350 selected sample areas," said Md Dilder Hossain, the project's director.

The authorities will collect data from each household using a computer assisted personal interviewing system, geographic information system and tablet computers.

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid is expected to unveil a memorial stamp on the project while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give a speech on June 14 making the announcement.

Speaking as chief guest, Planning Minister MA Mannan said he does not see the need for the intervals between each census to be of 10 years.

"Censuses are completed in countries around the world in five years or less. So why should we wait 10 years? We also need to use modern technology to complete the census in a timely manner," he said.

"We were supposed to do the census last year but we went back and forth for some reasons," Mannan added.

The first issue was the ongoing coronavirus pandemic while the second was that of proposals for procuring the tablet computers being turned down by the purchasing committee three times, he said.

In addition, they initially thought of completing the census manually but eventually decided to conduct it digitally, he added.

"I went to the procurement committee again and again with maximum transparency and explained our needs to them," he said, adding that they want to underscore the accuracy and swiftness of the census.

Prof Shamsul Alam, state minister for planning, said the transition to a digital census was a great journey for the government.

"We hope we will get the final report soon," he added.

Mohammad Tajul Islam, director general of the BBS, was present at the event, chaired by Shahanz Arefin, secretary to statistics and information systems under the planning ministry.

The first population census in Bangladesh was conducted in 1974. Subsequently, the population and housing censuses were held again in 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2011.