2020 Census will help inform 2021 electoral process- VEEP

Vice President Inonge Wina says it is important that the 2020 census of population and housing is properly executed to inform the 2021 electoral process.

In a speech read on her behalf by National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme during a 2020 census resource mobilization stakeholders meeting, Ms Wina says the census will provide a basis for undertaking accurate electoral delineation and voter registration throughout the country.

She says government realizes that the census of population and housing is the cornerstone of national statistics.

Ms Wina states that governments consistency in undertaking censuses has enabled the availability of information necessary for informed planning and monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.

She says because of the broad coverage, data from population census has positive impact on economic growth and development as it provides relevant,timesly and reliable baseline official statistics required for ensuring development planning,targeting of resources and accountability.

The Vice president notes that a census by its nature is a huge and costly undertaking, and has since urged cooperating partners to support the Government in any possible way to enable it conduct the 2020 census that will provide important data for policy making,planning and evaluation.

Speaking at the same event, National development Planning Permanent Chola Chabala says the census of population is the only statistical activity which can adequately provide demographic and social economic characteristics of the entire population of Zambia.

Mr Chabala says the ministry through the central statistical office has commenced preparations for the 2020 population and housing census.

And United Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan says the census is significant because the data collected will provide a wealth of information that will help to make steps towards development.