The National Bureau of Statistics says it will not conduct a population census before the elections in June due to the current crisis in the country. 

Isaiah Chol, Chairman, says it would be impossible to count people who are in areas controlled by the SPLM in Opposition.

Mr Chol told Eye Radio that it will also be difficult to access the displaced people in remote villages due to insecurity.

“Census is normally conducted when there is peace, when there is stability, when there is security such that people are counted in their places of residence.

“The two [election and census] have been separated. The elections will stand alone and will have to be conducted in its own right,” Mr Chol stated.

“But you know very well quite a number of our population is now displaced. Some of the areas are unsecured; some of the areas are controlled by the rebels. So I don’t think the Idea of linking census to elections at the moment will be possible.”

Early this month, the National Elections Commission announced that elections will be conducted in June this year.

The Transitional Constitution stipulates that a census must be held prior to elections.