Thursday, 10 December 2020
THE ASSEMBLY REVIEWED THE DRAFT-LAW ON THE CENSUS
Today, the Committee on European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, chaired by Mr. Arber Ademi, discussed the Draft-Law on the Census, in first reading.
Mr. Ademi, underlined that is being discussed a very important law which will enable the census of the population, households and dwellings in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period of 1-21 April 2021, considering that the last census in the country was conducted in the year 2002, and the census in the year 2011 was not realized. He underlined, that regarding the need to conduct the census, as a member state of the UN we are obliged to conduct the Census which will be realized in accordance with the adopted International recommendations for censuses of the population and households, drafted by the Economic Commission for Europe of the UN and Eurostat.
In the discussion participated the MPs: Halil Snopce, Dafina Stojanoska, Zhaklina Peshevska, Zeqir Ramcilovikj, Kastriot Rexhepi, Mirce Axhioski, Marija Petrushevska, Beti Stamenkovska and Lidija Petkovska.
During the discussions, they had a joint conclusion that the state needs a good and qualitative law on census, therefore they announced to draft amendments for improving and précising the provisions of the Draft-Law when it will be in parliamentary procedure in second reading.
Also, was pointed to the importance of the provisions of the Methodology for conduction of the census which according to the Law should be adopted in a transparent manner. The State Statistical Office, during the phase of drafting and implementing the Census of the Population, Households and Dwellings, should make a thorough assessment of the current situation in the State Office for the 
planning and the possible use of the administrative resources for collection data from the Census. In this context, was emphasized that the State Statistical Office, as the bearer of the whole process of the census should conduct the work professionally and competently, in order to avoid any doubts in the reliability of this statistics and important operation. Also was underlined that the process is technical, but also political, due to which it should be adopted jointly in the Assembly, with the majority and the opposition.
Based on the discussion, the Committee concluded to forward the Draft-Law on the Census to further parliamentary procedure, voted by the members of the Committee, both from the majority and the opposition.