Census 2027: Population Enumeration in Key Election States to Start in December

The Union government has announced a significant shift in the schedule for the upcoming Census 2027, particularly for four states set to hold Assembly elections: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa. The population enumeration phase will commence on December 1, 2026, and is slated for completion by January 4, 2027, with January 5 designated as the reference date.

This advance comes as the elections in these states are scheduled between February and March 2027, prompting questions about the motives behind the timing. Initially, the government had set March 1, 2027, as the reference date for the Census across the country, with specific exemptions for hilly and snow-affected regions in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Following the government’s notification on this decision, opposition voices, particularly from the Congress party, have raised concerns regarding the planning process. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the government for its lack of foresight, stating that the decision indicates poor planning since the election timeline was already known. He suggested that this alteration might be driven by ulterior political motives.

Historically, the Census is a cornerstone exercise that provides crucial data for various aspects of governance, including resource allocation and policy-making. The population count, which was originally due in 2021 but postponed, is now seen as particularly significant given the upcoming electoral landscape. The hurried nature of this advance in the enumeration process raises questions about its impact on data accuracy and the overall integrity of the Census.

The Census not only serves administrative purposes but also influences political strategies. In a country as diverse and populous as India, the population data can significantly shape the electoral map, and any perceived manipulation or opportunistic scheduling could have broader implications for democratic processes.

Source: scroll.in