The Electronic Census of Population, Housings and Establishments 2020 conducted a media briefing to share details of the recently launched nationwide campaign, named “Your Data, Your Identity’’. The media briefing was held at the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of individuals and institutions’ role in achieving the goals of E-Census 2020. This will contribute in building an integrated database that provides decision makers with timely and accurate information.

During his speech at the event, H.E. Dr Khalifa Al Barwani Chief Executive Officer of the NCSI said, “Data is considered as one of the important pillars for progress and growth of a nation. In today’s world, having statistics on population, housing and establishments, will help in better serving the people of our country and providing them with the best services.” He added by saying, “E-Census 2020 is different from the previously conducted censuses as it depends entirely on the administrative sources of public and private sector authorities. This is to build an electronically linked database using these sources for information,” he added further.

He explained that “Your Data, Your Identity’ campaign targets citizens and residents in its first phase by encouraging them to update their data at the related authorities. The campaign’s objective is to spread the culture of updating data and ensuring its accuracy and comprehensiveness until results of the E-Census 2020 are published.

During the brief, Al Barwani said that the campaign activities have began and a number of awareness messages have been published that call upon people to update their data. Building tenants and landlords are advised to present the electricity bills in order to update their current residence address.

Furthermore, the campaign encourages people to request for civil status certificates without delay. These documents include birth and death certificates. People are also required to update their marital status as well.

“People are required to update their electricity accounts through Nama group in order to link the account with the current tenant or landlord. This can be done through various platforms, which will be announced through the media by Nama group,” commented H.E. Dr Khalifa Al Barwani.

Eng. Omar Al Ismaili, Director General of E-Census 2020, delivered a presentation on the required data for update that includes family information, disability, qualification, municipal licenses, lease agreements and activity location code.

Al Ismailli emphasised on the importance of the campaign and called upon people to update their data. This will help in the data-matching phase and ensuring its accuracy and comprehensiveness. Hence, it will contribute to the establishment of an integrated and linked database to serve the Sultanate’s socio-economic development plans.