According to the District Administration officials and some local residents, on-the-ground population censuses are being collected in some villages in the jurisdictions of Mawlamyine, Chaungzon, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Kyaik Hto, and Thaton in Mon State.
The Military Council has been collecting on-the-ground population statistics for the elections to be held this year. This census project is expected to continue until January 9th.
This work is being done by representatives from Administration and Immigration departments, and military council members and militia are providing full security.
According to ward Administrators, no on-the- ground population census work is being undertaken in areas where there have been shootings between the Burmese army and joint-armed resistance forces.
In Ye and Beilin Township’s, where the People’s Defense Forces are strong and shootings have taken place, there has been no ground population census initiated, according to local residents.
A ward Administrator in Kyaik Hto township said, “… almost all areas have already collected the population census data. The areas under KNU control have been removed.”
In wards that do not have a household census, those areas are being told to do such a census immediately. According to Ma Tin Tin Hla from Lake Inn ward, Thaton Township, “They are waiting at the top house in the neighborhood. They took the census of the rest of the houses. They checked the household list and asked. Is it there or not?”
Organizations opposing the military council have issued warnings to stop the military’s on-the-ground population census initiative.
