Myanmar’s military government begins a census seen as a way to gather information about opponents

Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government has begun a census it says will be used to compile voter lists for an election promised for next year even though much of the country is engulfed in a civil war. The census is widely seen as an effort to gather information to closely monitor opponents of military rule. A group that leads the struggle against military rule has advised people to use “caution” in complying with the survey, and pro-democracy guerrillas have warned that those who help collect information will face reprisals. The military government is viewed as hoping the polls will legitimize its rule, which began after it seized power in 2021. Myanmar is estimated to have a population of 56 million.