The online census returns but in a “controlled” way

the census in line returns these days but in a controlled manner. The term to register online ended on Last October 31, with more than 2.3 million people registered virtually. Currently, the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) carries out the face-to-face census, that is, through census takers who assist each of the homes, nationwide.

However, those who wish may take advantage of the virtual route again. David Sánchez, coordinator of the northern zone of the Population Census and director of Statistical Cartography at INEC, reported that at the moment there is the option of “controlled online census”.

How can a person access the census online at this stage?

• Only the neighborhood census taker can activate the online census again.
• You can do it for a specific ID linked to a dwelling with a specific code.
• The citizen must ask the neighborhood census taker to provide the code to carry out the digital census.
• It is activated with the ID number.

There are many citizens who were not able to register online during the time it was in force. At that time, a controversy arose over the use of the information and the delivery of the identification number. However, a few days ago the INEC reported that the constitutional justice “confirmed that the INEC is empowered in the 2022 Census to request personal information, including the ID.”

This Monday, November 28, 2022, at the facilities of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), the presentation and welcome to international observers was made, who will be in the country until November 30 and will monitor and verify the development of the Ecuador 2022 Census.

Observation is a central activity within the development of census processes in Latin America. Their participation contributes to the monitoring of the actions, the logistics and the impact itself that is expected to be obtained with the statistical operation.

during the presentation David Muñoz, INEC’s Articulation Director, emphasized that the presence of observers is of vital importance for these processes in terms of cooperation: “Because we shake hands, because we have South-South cooperation, because at the level of statistical offices, we have a different logic from that of public institutions, because it is a place where the technical surpasses the political,” he said.

The mission of international observers accompanying the Ecuador Census is made up of: Nancy Hidalgo INEI-Peru; Pablo Ceballos, INDEC Argentina; David Pinilla, DANE-Colombia; Silvia Jaramillo, INE-Chile; Pablo León, INE-Chile. For her part, Nancy Hidalgo mentioned that they have “come to observe the census in Ecuador with the innovations it is implementing. From what I have been able to see, the Ecuadorian population is friendly and despite the fact that there is an older adult population, they prefer the use of technology,” she said.

During these three days, the compliance exercise will be carried out in three groups, made up of officials from statistical offices and INEC delegates. They will be in charge of several tasks:

• Observe and evaluate the methodology and planning of the Ecuador 2022 Census in the following components: training, logistics, articulation and communication, security of the operation, registration and processing, in addition to sections such as: citizen participation, census taker, online census, entry systems , among others.
• Document the development of the eighth Population Census and seventh Housing Census.
• Execute a communication agenda parallel to the execution of the Population and Housing Census.

On Wednesday, November 30, there will be a closing plenary session and conclusions. (YO)