Plans afoot for first digital census in 2023

New survey will underpin the next general election

Taking another step towards digitalisation, Pakistan will begin preparations to conduct the first digital census in 2023.

The federal cabinet has decided to run a pilot census to test all aspects of the digital census backed by geographic information system (GIS). The use of digital technology and GIS will modernise the entire census process, making it more transparent, efficient and accurate. Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a special committee for a detailed discussion on the seventh population census.

Pakistan will be utilising sophisticated technology for the first time to conduct the census, said Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a postcabinet media briefing. The entire process would take 550 days (or one and a half years) to complete the population census. Pakistan’s 2023 general elections will be held as per the new census, he added. The country has also introduced locally-made electronic voting machines (EVM) for the next general elections to ensure transparency.

A national census coordination centre will be set up along with the involvement of all stakeholders, integrated media strategy for public awareness campaign and comprehensive security arrangements will also be made, according to the officials.