The military junta has announced a nationwide census, scheduled to take place from October 1 to 15, in preparation for a general election. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged citizens to provide accurate information to ensure the success of a free and fair multi-party democratic election during a statement on September 1.
However, voices opposing the upcoming election have called on the public to boycott the census, warning that it could be used to serve the junta’s interests rather than the people’s.
Mi Kon Chan Non (Mon State Federal Council, MSFC)
“Min Aung Hlaing’s call for a census in preparation for the election is not a legitimate action. I want to make it clear that this is not something we should participate in. I am concerned that many citizens will end up cooperating out of fear. The public must avoid participating in this census because if the junta collects this data, it will be used solely for their benefit. The regime is losing on multiple fronts and is now looking for ways to hold onto power. During this time, they will use the census not for the election, but to figure out how many people are missing or displaced, and how to maintain control. This is not a just or legitimate process, and they do not have the authority to conduct it.”
Dr. Thiri Mon Chan (Mon State Defense Force, MSDF)
“In democratic countries, censuses are used to gather data on the population for development planning, like determining the workforce or the level of education in a region. But under military rule, personal information is being misused. For example, it’s used to draft people into the military or assign them to local security roles if they are aged between 35 and 65. Instead of using the data for national development, they’re exploiting it for their purposes. I want to emphasize that Min Aung Hlaing’s claims and actions should not be trusted.”
Nai Naga (Mon State Revolutionary Force, MSRF)
“Min Aung Hlaing has promised to hold a multi-party democratic general election by the end of 2024. He’s urging people to participate in the census for this purpose. The reason for this is that both the election and the census are critical for him. His current power stems from the 2020 election, which he claimed was fraudulent, justifying his coup. That’s how he declared himself the leader. However, since he was not elected by the people, both the citizens of Myanmar and the international community have rejected his regime. This is why he’s now desperate to hold a new election and gather new data. If we want to prevent his continued rule, we must not participate in the census.”
