UAE- Sharjah Census 2015 begins data gathering on Tuesday

SHARJAH 19th October 2015 (WAM)--The groundbreaking of the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development's (DSCD) data gathering for the Sharjah Census 2015 will kick off on Tuesday.

With the participation of more than 1800 researchers observers and volunteers this phase will run to 20th November and covers all residences individuals and properties in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The census staff will be making field visits to homes and facilities to collect preliminary data including the addresses and coordinates of houses the number of members of each family the name of the person interviewed a phone number to communicate with this person and the family and identity card numbers. This phase will be conducted daily from 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

Citizens and residents of the emirate can fill in the census form manually or electronically known as self-counting (iCensus). In the case of self-counting registration a text message will be sent to the mobile number containing the user name and password in order to allow the completion of the form electronically.

Self-counting is an easy process and its application ensures data security clarity of questions as well as fast and accurate automated checking of the data provided by the public. It also eliminates the need for researchers to visit the family again during the counting stage which begins on 6 December.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Sharjah Census 2015 and Chairman of the DSCD said "Due to the great support provided by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah the Sharjah Census 2015 has been well planned and organised early on to achieve a high level of success. All the materials and human resources necessary to achieve optimal implementation have been provided. Today we officially announce the launch of the count phase of Sharjah Census 2015 which is one of the most important and largest statistical operations carried out by the DSCD in Sharjah given the comprehensiveness of the data which covers the various components of society including families individuals properties and structures."

Al Thani urged everyone in Sharjah to cooperate with census teams and submit their identity cards numbers and other required information to ensure the objective is accomplished. He added that it is a national and communal obligation to help researchers and underlined the need for the community to cooperate and support the research teams and observers to render the census a success.

The census teams will cover all structures in the emirate of Sharjah including companies factories shops shopping malls residences schools universities sports clubs offices pharmacies beauty centers clinics medical and health centers and other facilities and sectors in addition to police stations civil defense centers mosques associations adolescent and children centers among others.

In February the Ruler of Sharjah issued an Emiri Decree No.7 of 2015 on conducting a general census of the population infrastructure housing and establishments in Sharjah. The census aims to provide accurate statistical data on economic social and demographic sectors and others in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development is the only authorised statistical body in the emirate and the source of official statistical data as well as the body mandated with all community development related policies and plans. It is a corporate body with full legal capacity to carry out and direct all works and necessary actions to achieve its objectives.