Census deferred to ’24: Official

THE population statistics needed to help run the 2022 general elections may not be available, an official says.
National Statistical Office head John Igitoi said his office would be unable to present updated statistics for the PNG Electoral Commission to use because it had not been able to carry out the census because of a lack of adequate funding and the Coronavirus (Covid-19) had impacted their operations and plans.
The acting national statistician said despite the challenges faced by his office had seen the census moved to 2024 and were working on an interim report that included all data information and was expected to be presented in the first quarter of next year.
“With the census deferral by the Government the population statistics is still unknown and that the National Statistical Office will not be able to support the Electoral Commission in the 2022 National General election with population statistics information,” Igitoi said.
“The report is an interim activity because through the NEC decision No.134 we deferred the census to a 2024. We need to provide data information for decision-making, formulation of policies and also effective resource location as well as to track development plans and policies.”
Igitoi said by the end of the first quarter of next year, the NSO would provide data based on population by sex, age from the district to national level.