The Census Report

Aug 26, 2025 Editorial, News

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Kaieteur News – In every functioning democracy, information is power and a Population and Housing Census is one of the most vital tools for planning, governance, and electoral credibility. It offers an honest outlook of the country, how many people live here, where they are concentrated, their demographics, and their socio-economic circumstances.

Yet, in this country three years after the census was conducted and despite repeated calls from opposition parties, civil society groups and ordinary citizens, the Irfaan Ali Government continues to delay or outright refuses to release the census results. This, raises troubling questions about transparency, governance, and the fairness of the upcoming elections.

It is also disappointing that the opposition and other groups have not made this issue a rallying cry and are prepared to head into a very crucial elections without the results of the census, which no doubt are in the hands of the government. The seriousness of the issue could not have escaped the attention of the Carter Center. In its pre-election statement, the body noted that many interlocutors have raised concerns about the size of the Official List of Elector at 757,690 and that the results of the census in 2022 have not been released. “This regrettable lapse obscures public understanding of basic population demographics and their potential relation to the size of the voter list,” the statement read.

Since 2023 when he was questioned about the census, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh had said that a preliminary report of the Census 2022 was expected to be made available to the government by the second quarter of 2024. He said then that the census was making progress in ensuring 100 per cent coverage. “Subsequent to the preparation of that preliminary report by the end of the second quarter of 2024, the bureau will require a further four to six months for preparation and publication of all reports,” he explained. He reminded that while the government would like the census to be completed as swiftly as possible, it is important to ensure that comprehensiveness and full coverage are not compromised in the process.

Then in the face of social media reports in October 2024, the Bureau of Statistics in a statement assured that the preliminary results of the 2022 Census Report will be released soon. Almost one year after, there has been no preliminary report. The Bureau of Statistics stated then that any delay in publishing the 2022 Population and Housing Census results is solely due to its commitment to maintaining professional standards while addressing significant challenges encountered during this census cycle.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this year was also asked about the census his response was that he had no direct information on the matter, stating, “I have not dealt with this. I saw it recently. I don’t know. It would be with the Minister of Finance. I don’t have any information on that issue at this stage.” The opposition has rightfully linked the delay in the release of the census report to alleged manipulation of the data to favour the PPP at the elections.

The census is not a trivial exercise. It is key to development planning, but beyond economics and development, its political importance cannot be overstated. In a country where politics is often defined by demographic balance, migration trends, and the shifting distribution of communities, census data plays a direct role in electoral preparations. Entering an election without updated census data leaves both citizens and political parties questioning whether they are truly participating in a fair and balanced process. So why would a government sit on results that should be public knowledge? The suspicion, fairly or unfairly, is that the government sees political advantage in withholding the data its

silence allows it to operate in a fog of ambiguity. Without census data, opposition parties cannot properly strategise, advocate, or appeal to growing or shifting communities.

This imbalance tilts the playing field heavily in favour of the ruling administration, which is also armed with data from the recently concluded cash grant exercise.

It is clear government is hoarding national data as though it were private property and perhaps weaponising it as a political tool instead of releasing it as a public good.

The government cannot be unaware of the fact that citizens as well as the rival opposition parties are already skeptical of the political system and will see secrecy as evidence of manipulation. Elections in Guyana are already tense affairs, often marred by accusations of fraud and rigging. Therefore, refusing to release census results feeds the narrative that transparency and fairness are not priorities of the government.  In a rapidly changing society where migration, oil wealth, and urbanization are reshaping demographics governing without accurate numbers is reckless. This information is not only important for government to plan, but also NGOs and foreign investors.

The census belongs to the people of Guyana, not to the ruling administration. Withholding it insults the intelligence of the public and undermines the very democratic ideals the government claims to uphold. In a time of unprecedented national wealth and opportunity, Guyana needs unity, trust, and fairness more than ever. The path to those values begins with transparency and transparency begins with the simple act of releasing the census.

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• Census report, Dr. Ashni Singh, Editorial, Guyana Elections, Housing Census

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