Opinion

Census problems to avoid

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-03 07:56

The sixth national census started on Nov 1. Census enumerators have begun visiting door to door to record residents' details, and police have been told to help them gain access to the homes of people refusing to allow them in, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

According to the national census regulation, if any person tries to prevent census officials or enumerators from performing their duties, he/she is guilty of violating public security and thus deserves punishment.

That's why it's legal for enumerators to seek police help to gain access to residents who refuse to allow them in their house to record details of the family members.

Normally, people whose house registration (hukou) is not in order or parents with more than one child are reluctant to allow enumerators from recording their details for fear of being penalized.

Nevertheless, enumerators should avoid seeking police help as far as possible. They should never seek police help before trying every possible means of getting into a house to record the details of the residents.

Using police help for census work is a double-edged sword. Though it may help enumerators enter a house, it could compel the residents not to cooperate in other ways. It could make other people dislike the whole idea of a census, too.

Policemen or policewomen, who force people to open their doors, should always be in their uniform and carry all relevant documents and their police badges to prove their bona fides. Otherwise, a good measure could easily be abused.