Iraq – The Iraqi Turkmen Front reported that it had observed violations before the start of the population census, which begins today in the country and continues tomorrow, Thursday, in which families were brought from outside Kirkuk Governorate to register.
The Front confirmed in a statement yesterday, Tuesday, that it is closely following population census developments in Kirkuk Governorate in particular.
She talked about bringing hundreds of families from the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, to register them in Kirkuk records, on the eve of the start of the population census.
She pointed out that the checkpoints at the entrances to Kirkuk from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah are witnessing heavy traffic congestion, stressing that it has been verified that the arriving families are not residents of the governorate.
The “Turkmen Front” warned that this step “aims to change the true identity and demographic composition of Kirkuk.”
She also stressed that the Turkmen of Iraq will not remain spectators in the face of such developments, calling on the Iraqi Federal Court and the central government to take the necessary measures regarding this matter.
Iraq is preparing to conduct a general population census on November 20 and 21, without asking citizens questions about their race or sect.
The last population census was conducted in Iraq in 1997, and at that time it did not include 3 governorates in the northern Iraqi region, and it included questions that revealed the ethnic and religious characteristics of the population.
The Iraqi government decided not to include questions related to ethnic and sectarian affiliation in the upcoming population census, “to avoid any division within society consisting of different components.”
Anatolia
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What are the potential implications of the reported violations by the Iraqi Turkmen Front on the accuracy of the Iraqi census results?
**Interview: The Upcoming Iraqi Census and Observations of Violations**
*Interviewee: Dr. Ahmed Rashid, Political Analyst and Regional Expert*
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rashid. Today marks the start of Iraq’s first national census in nearly four decades. Can you provide some context on why this census is particularly significant?
**Dr. Rashid:** Absolutely. This census is crucial for a number of reasons, particularly given Iraq’s complex demographic landscape. It not only aims to gather vital demographic, social, and economic data but also to offer insights into the various communities within Iraq. This will help in policy formulation and resource allocation moving forward. Moreover, the use of advanced technologies in this census is a notable step that could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of data collection [[1](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2024/11/20/fgn41-iraq-census.html)].
**Editor:** I understand there have been reports from the Iraqi Turkmen Front regarding violations before the census began today. Can you elaborate on what these violations entail and their implications?
**Dr. Rashid:** Yes, the Iraqi Turkmen Front has raised concerns about several irregularities that they believe could undermine the validity of the census. While specific details of the violations are still emerging, such claims often include issues like the intimidation of census workers or attempts to manipulate responses in certain areas. If confirmed, these violations could lead to an inaccurate representation of the population, particularly for the Turkmen community, which is already concerned about its visibility and representation in national statistics [[1](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2024/11/20/fgn41-iraq-census.html)].
**Editor:** How do you think these concerns will affect the public’s perception of the census process?
**Dr. Rashid:** Public confidence in the census is essential for its success. If people believe there are biases or manipulations at play, it might deter them from participating fully or honestly, thereby skewing the results further. This is particularly sensitive in regions with historical ethnic tensions. The government will need to address these concerns transparently to build trust among the various communities involved [[1](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2024/11/20/fgn41-iraq-census.html)].
**Editor:** Lastly, what measures do you think the Iraqi government should implement to ensure the integrity of the census process?
**Dr. Rashid:** The government should immediately address the allegations raised by the Iraqi Turkmen Front and any other stakeholder concerns transparently. This could include setting up independent monitoring bodies to oversee the census and ensuring that census workers receive adequate training and are protected from intimidation. Additionally, engaging community leaders in the census process can help foster a sense of ownership and trust amongst the populations being surveyed. These steps are essential for the census to yield reliable and actionable data [[1](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2024/11/20/fgn41-iraq-census.html)].
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Rashid. It will be interesting to see how this census unfolds in the coming days and how the government responds to these challenges.
**Dr. Rashid:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment for Iraq, and the outcome of this census could have long-lasting implications for the country.