2-10-2023 (YANGON) Myanmar’s military government announced on Sunday that it had initiated a pilot census in 20 townships across the country, a move that critics argue will be exploited to increase surveillance of dissenters.
The military regime has justified its coup in 2021 by making unverified claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 elections, which were convincingly won by civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
Officials within the junta have stated that a national census must be conducted before fresh elections, which the government has hinted could take place in 2025.
The statement issued by the military read, “We will conduct a census from October 1 to 15, 2023, in 20 selected townships in Naypyidaw and other states and regions,” referring to the capital city built by the military, although it did not specify the exact areas involved.
“These 20 townships will serve as a sample,” the statement added.
State media reported that the pilot census had commenced in the Karen, Bago, and Mandalay regions. However, the military did not disclose the specific locations within these areas where the pilot would be conducted.
The pilot census is a preliminary step before a nationwide census scheduled for 2024, according to state media.
Critics argue that the junta will exploit the census as a means to intensify surveillance of opponents of the coup, including thousands of civil servants, doctors, and teachers who have refused to return to work in protest.
Myanmar remains deeply divided by conflicts, with civilians frequently subjected to bomb blasts and fighting. The military has acknowledged that it does not have full control over certain areas.
The ongoing violence in the country has resulted in over 1.6 million people being displaced, as reported by the United Nations.
The United States has declared that any elections held under the junta would be considered a “sham,” while analysts believe that such polls would be targeted by the military’s opponents and could lead to further bloodshed.
Russia has expressed support for the junta’s plans for elections, and its election commission signed a memorandum of “cooperation in election activities” with Myanmar last month.
Although not mentioned in the statement, Myanmar has announced its intention to implement an electronic identification system. Officials have stated that the scheme will collect “biographic data and the biometric data of citizens aged 10 years and above.”
Last month, Myanmar sought assistance from China, a major ally, arms supplier, and operator of an extensive internal surveillance network, to implement the program.
