By: Maja Tuljković
From 1-15 October 2013, the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings will take place for the first time since 1991. This represents one of the most important and complex projects in the country whose purpose is to benefit every citizen of B&H.
The census will include B&H citizens who have residence in B&H, regardless of whether or not at the time of the census they are present or absent from B&H, foreign citizens with a permit for permanent or temporary residence in B&H, stateless persons, households, apartments and other housing units.
A household is considered to be every family or other group of people who live together and jointly spend their income for basic life necessities (single or collective households).
All apartments on the territory of B&H will be included in the census, regardless of whether or not they are used for permanent or temporary residence (for vacation or recreational purposes, or for seasonal work), unoccupied, as well as other spaces/facilities that are not built as apartments, but are being used as apartments during the period of the census, as well as collective dwellings.
In accordance with Article 40 of the Census Law, B&H citizens who have residence in B&H and are absent for more than one year abroad would use the form p-1 IN, which is found on the site popis2013.ba. However, they will not be included in the total population of B&H. Statistical institutions in B&H will gather data and process them according to the required elements in the form and place them in a separate database. The data will be available to all users that will use it for their needs. The list of persons living abroad is defined by law, which means that B&H needs this data and the citizens who have been living abroad for more than 12 months are encouraged to take part in the census.
Also, in accordance with Article 11 of the Census Law, persons included in the census are obligated to answer the required questions in the census forms accurately and with complete responses. Only adult members of the household who are present and older than 15 years of age can provide personal information on absent members of the households. Parents, adoptive parents or guardians would provide information on children in the households who are younger than 15 years.
In addition, Article 43 on the Census Law defines that there would be a fine that ranges from 100 KM to 10.000 KM if an individual refuses to answer a required question or if inaccurate and incomplete answers are given.
For the upcoming B&H Census, five million forms have been printed, all materials are available in three languages and two alphabets, and enumerators will carry with them a sample book with languages of national minorities, so they have the option of answering in their own language.
Census taking will be every day from 9:00 to 21:00. Every enumerator is required to go to the same address three times, and if no one is at home, then the citizen is required to go to the Census Commission in person in order to take part in the census.
For additional information on the Census, the call center (070 300 900) is available every day from 8:00 to 17:00. All irregularities and violations on the basis of the rights and obligations of enumerators can be reported on the website www.popismonitor.ba.
The first results will be available 90 days after the end of the Census. All the work in connection with the Census must be completed by 2016, and the Statistics Agency will publish the results successively in separate books on national and religious affiliation, educational structure of population, economic characteristics, age…
The Census is of special importance for the FB&H and the RS, as well as for local communities. For example, for a local community to apply for development projects with the EU, it is required to have precise information on the number of inhabitants and other relevant information.
