The National Bureau of Statistics has refuted that its survey results of South Sudan’s population estimation will not be used for the upcoming General Election in 2024.
Their response came following public reaction to the national population dominated by Warrap state with 2.6 million people. The survey conducted in 2021 was published last week.
Chairperson of the National Bureau of Statistics Isaiah Chol Aruai says the survey was done for development planning and citizens shouldn’t be worrying about which state is leading.
“The survey results will be used for development planning, decision making, and provision of services, monitoring the performance of the national development strategy, as well as the sustainable development goals. Drafting policy briefs and reference points for research, the survey results will not be used for elections.” He said.
Mr. Chol doubts if there will be a census as the new roadmap did not indicate a provision for conducting a census for the elections.
“The parties have agreed to extend the period for another 24 months and they came up with what they called a new roadmap, if you look at the roadmap, read in the roadmap which I believe all of you have read, there is no provision for contacting full census it’s not there.”
The issue of the census is a political decision, not a technical or administrative decision, “Aruai states.”
The National Bureau of Statistics Chair says they are ready to do a census if the political leaders give go ahead but on two conditions which are relative peace, and the availability of the resources.
“The issue of the census as I had explained earlier, is a political decision, it’s not a technical nor even an administrative decision.
It’s political, if the political leaders today say to contact the population and housing census, we will do it on conditions of two. One there should be peace, stability, and security within the Country.
“We need security, if the census were to be done, there should be security, peace, and stability in the Country, then if the resources are made available.”
He adds that the way forward for the general census is under the authority of the electoral commission not the National Bureau of Statistics.
He explains that it’s not possible to use the current figures that were for the survey.
“It’s not possible to use the current figures that we have, for us it’s not, we don’t advise because you can’t elect a representative on the figures that were used for the survey.”
On March 11, 2023, the survey conducted through satellite imagery was presented at the Council of Ministers meeting.
The Information Minister Michael Makuei said the assessment estimate could be less than the results of the actual population census because it is done remotely.
South Sudan’s population is said to be around 12.4 million people, according to the 2021 population estimated survey compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The current population of South Sudan is 11,556,786 as of Tuesday, April 11, 2023, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.