Minister Bah Cautions Citizens Against Census Night Relocation
Information Minister Chernor Bah has warned citizens against moving between districts in an attempt to influence where they are counted in the 2026 National Population and Housing Census, clarifying that the exercise will be based on where individuals spend the night of December 1.
Bah made the clarification on November 3 while addressing residents during the second day of the Civic Day Series Town Hall in Kabala, Koinadugu District.
He explained that census officials would visit households to record everyone who spent Census Night there, meaning that individuals who travel to another district after December 1 would not be counted again at their destination.
Using an example, the Minister said someone who spends Census Night in Kailahun but travels to Kambia afterwards would still be counted in Kailahun because that was where the person stayed on the designated night.
Bah also highlighted the use of digital tablets during the exercise, saying the technology would improve the accuracy and accountability of data collection while reducing opportunities for manipulation by enumerators.
December 1, 2026, has been designated as Census Night, with the actual enumeration scheduled to begin on December 2. Approximately 30,000 census personnel are expected to be deployed nationwide to conduct the exercise.
The Minister urged residents to cooperate with census officials when they visit their homes and provide the required information to ensure an accurate population count.
He emphasised that reliable population data is essential for national development planning, particularly in determining the distribution of public resources, infrastructure and development projects.
Addressing concerns about the exercise’s political implications, Bah rejected suggestions that the census was intended to influence the outcome of the 2028 general elections, insisting that it was a national exercise aimed at establishing accurate population data.
He encouraged citizens to participate fully, noting that the information collected would guide government planning and decisions on the country’s development priorities.
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