TDP Secretary General Redif Ekinci made statements regarding a population census that will encompass all citizens, should his party come to power. Ekinci emphasized that this census will be valid for everyone living in the country.
Ekinci reacted to Prime Minister Ünal Üstel’s comments about population data, saying, “There are numbers that can be discussed, and numbers that cannot be discussed.” According to Ekinci, it is essential for the data on population mobility to be definitive. The importance of accurate population counting is increasingly recognized in the planning of public services such as schools, hospitals, housing, and transportation.
Instead of current estimates and questionable projections, Ekinci expressed their intention to take a series of measures for counting the actual residents of the country. He cited examples from census applications conducted in the Republic of Cyprus, Malta, and Montenegro, stating that these practices should be tailored to suit Cypriot conditions.
He announced plans to establish a “Census Committee” consisting of statisticians, demographers, academics, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to carry out the population census. Ekinci noted that this committee will share questions to be asked during the census process and topics such as data security with the public.
He particularly emphasized that pilot counts will be conducted to identify deficiencies, and the data obtained during this process will be made public. Ekinci expressed that the reliable address inventory is lacking, and a detailed assessment of the country will be made by dividing it into various areas.
In addition, he mentioned the need to identify and number each housing unit, dormitory, construction site, etc., and ensure that the census is carried out from a single center. He stressed that, unlike previous practices, the public will not be required to remain at home for a day, as trained officials will visit the addresses.
Information will be transmitted to a central system using encrypted tablets, and data control will be conducted in real-time. Ekinci noted that everyone living in the country will be counted once, and information such as citizenship and work permits will be recorded, but this data will be kept confidential.
Ekinci expressed that the population census will not only help in understanding the total numbers but also in grasping the real needs of the public. He stated that the results will be analyzed in detail and will contain a wealth of information. He conveyed that this data will form the basis of a system that will be continually updated, thereby adopting a transparent and data-driven management approach.
Ekinci announced that the results would be audited by an independent institution and that deficiencies and margins of error would be shared with the public, highlighting the necessity of adopting an innovative approach. He mentioned that this way, population data will transform from mere information into a reliable resource for society.
Source: www.yeniduzen.com
