For the first time in the country’s history, the sixth population and housing census will take place across the country digitally from June 15 to 21 following a delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and procurement process.
“Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) the Statistics and Informatics Division will implement the census covering all areas of the country from June 15 to 21 which has already been delayed for coronavirus pandemic and procurement process,” Planning Minister MA Mannan said at a workshop held at the National Economic Council (NEC) conference room on Wednesday.
Around 3.7 lakh enumerators will collect data countrywide by using 3.95 lakh tablet computers.
However, the minister said the census was conducted in different countries every five years. “Why do we wait for 10 years to conduct a census? We must use contemporary technology,” he added.
State Minister for Planning Prof Shamsul Alam said, “We will plan to conduct a population and housing census every five years. We hope that we will get success,” he said, adding that this time BBS will conduct the population census digitally as now it is proven that the country is moving forward digitally.
Under this census, using a GIS (Geographic Information System) based digital map, data of all households of the country will be collected simultaneously through Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) method using digital device 'tabs’, the minister said.
The census will be conducted under the name "Population & Housing Census-2022". The data from the field level for the census will be collected from June 15 to June 21 while this will also be considered as "Census Week".
The midnight of June 14 (zero hours of June 15) will be considered as "Census Reference Point or Time". The Prime Minister is to address the nation at any time before the census.
Project Director and Deputy Secretary Md Dildar Hossain presented the method of how to conduct population census across the country.
