The ECP is demanding digital census data before the end of March.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Planning, ECP emphasizes the need for prompt completion of the exercise.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sprang into action to ensure the 7th Digital Population & Housing Census 2022 was completed on time and stated that the exercise, which is required by the constitution, was essential for conducting constituency delimitation across the nation prior to the next general elections.
ECP stated in a letter to the planning ministry that the census results must be supplied by March 31, 2023, so they may finish their exercise in time to conduct new delimitations based on the digital census information.
The letter warned that it would be difficult to create additional constituencies if the results of the digital census were not released by March 31. Additionally, it stated that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) had received numerous requests for the census to be completed by December 31.
“It was told that instead of December, the final findings would be released on March 31. New constituencies are required by the Constitution following the census, the letter added.
In order to have the general elections on schedule, it was further stated that the final digital census results had to be published by March 31.
The PBS and provincial governments were instructed earlier this week by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal to ensure efficient coordination for the prompt completion of the seventh housing and population census.
In order for the ECP to finish its homework prior to the start of the delimitation procedure, the minister promised that PBS would exchange information.
On April 30, 2023, PBS will formally deliver digital census data to the ECP.
He also stated that the activity would cost roughly Rs34 billion and ordered PBS to provide information about the census’s procurement.
The PBS head statistician said that the organisation had finished all significant work and was now ready to launch the census fully with the assistance of all pertinent parties.
