Citizens to assume high responsibility for results of census: Chairman of Kazakh Statistics Agency

ASTANA. February 10. KAZINFORM /Kanat Mametkazyuly/ Only a few days left till the scheduled event of great national importance – the census. The census, having great socio-economic significance for the state, will cover all the citizens of Kazakhstan including those living abroad. Therefore the role of the census is special compared with other statistical activities. In addition, this campaign demanding high responsibility from every citizen, will impact public activity. Chairman of the Agency on Statistics of Kazakhstan Anar Meshimbayeva tells Kazinform correspondent about preparation and organization of such a meaningful event.

What can you tell about the preparation for the national census? Are preparatory activities completed in all regions? How is the organizational process? The organization of this important campaign is not as easy and routine as it might seem at first glance. The entire legal framework that the census is based on, was taken in the last two-three years. Special commission on the census organization was created in accordance with the Government?s decree. Vice-ministers and deputy akims of the regions are the members of the commission. As to the organizational activity we will ensure implementation of policy recommendations developed by the United Nations. Information about each citizen of Kazakhstan including those living abroad will be collected. The preparatory work for the forthcoming census is held in all regions and the cities of Almaty and Astana. For example, the work on systematization of street names has been carried out. Special commissions, that were established to support the census at the national and regional levels, work under the approved plan. I can say that the issue on recruitment of personnel for the conduction of the census is completely solved. Overall it is 83 thousand people. The size of their salaries has been specified. Special trainings and seminars for the heads of the regional statistics departments and district statistics offices have been held. Therefore, I can say that the preparation is held at a proper level, all necessary measures have been taken. The national census starts on February 25th at 12 p.m. From this moment counters will begin their work. Children born after that time will not be included into the census. The census will cover all citizens of the country.Individuals without citizenship and those without permanent residence will also be taken into account. Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Umirzak Shukeyev has recently subjected to criticism the publicity work done for the upcoming census. What is the situation today? Of course it is impossible to hold such an important event without mass media. Through mass media we try not only to advertise the upcoming census but also inform people of its essence and purpose. Today all the information is covered in the press. At present 19 video-and audio clips are being broadcasted. The large cities have special billboards. Contacts have also been established with telephone service providers. Recently there was a case when a group of swindlers pretended to be counters in one of the regional centers. What measures are taken to prevent such cases? What is your advice to the population on such matters? Unfortunately the problem of fraud has begun long before the census. However, the use of the national census for alter motives should be prevented at all costs. I think the law enforcement agencies will take measures. I would also like to ask people to be extremely cautious. Our census counters will have special scarves, bags and IDs. Therefore each citizen has a right to ask the counter for their ID. We are also considering provision of security for our employees for the period of census. During the census citizens will not be asked for any documents. In addition, each is free to decide: whether or not to answer any questions. We can not infringe on the rights and freedoms. But each of us must show the civil consciousness and to provide information for future plans and the development of the state. The census is not only the number of people, but also the study of the statistical data important for the authorities. We urge everyone to answer questions correctly and truthfully. Following the results of the census the answers will be published in the form of general information. The information on private persons obtained during the census will not be published. How does this census differ from others? As I have mentioned above, all recommendations developed by the United Nations are being implemented in this census. In accordance with those recommendations, the number of questions was increased from 18 to 45. The new questions cover migration, monthly incomes, religion, planned number of children and other indicators.The activity of the population plays an important role in this event. Procedure of getting answers has been simplified as much as possible. Special accounting departments were created for these purposes. These departments will register those who do not wish to participate in the census or refuse to undergo this procedure at a place of residence. In case the person is away at the moment of the counter?s visit, special leaflets with address and telephone number of the nearest statistics office will be left. The statistics offices are created for the convenience of the population. We also provided convenience for public officers who spend most of their time at work. The census of employees of the central state agencies will be held at the place of their job. Registration offices will be opened in state bodies for the period of the census where employees can answer questions without interrupting their work. All large enterprises, organizations and state bodies can pass census procedures at their workplaces having special claims as well. To hold qualitative census the Agency has been equipped with necessary technique, computers and auto-transport. The census paper contains 45 questions. Taking it into account what results can we expect from the upcoming campaign? All questions included into the census paper were recommended by the international organizations. 45 questions and additional questions at the blanks will allow us to obtain important information. The most important information is of course, the information concerning the number of Kazakhstan?s citizens. Data regarding population size in the regions is also quite important.. Great migratory changes have taken place from the moment of the last census that was held ten years ago. Such information is also very important for the further development of the state. Also we will receive the information on demography. These are questions of birth rate, forecasting natural increase of the population and people?s health. We will get data concerning population?s educational level, knowledge of state and foreign languages. In addition, there are questions on social and economic state of people. There were doubts - to include or not a question on income of the citizens. It was decided to include it. Certainly, everyone will decide whether to answer such questions or not. But, taking into account confidentiality of the received information we would like to get full answers. Information concerning income of the citizens is necessary to determine the level of income of the population as a whole in the republic. And information on family structure and population density in the regions is necessary to assess the demographic situation. Thank you for the interview. I wish you good luck in the upcoming campaign.