FACTBOX-Sudan to conduct first census since 1993

April 20, 2008 — Sudan holds its first census since 1993 beginning on Tuesday, a vital step in the 2005 deal that ended decades of civil war and will determine wealth and power-sharing.

Below are some facts and figures on the census.

– The most recent U.N. estimate for Sudan’s population is 37.8 million.

– Sudan’s last census was in 1993 when the country was in the midst of a decades-long north-south civil war.

– The 2008 census will be Sudan’s fifth.

– It was agreed as part of the country’s democratic transformation under a 2005 peace deal that ended the north-south war, but has been delayed several times.

– The 2008 census is highly politicised because it will determine power and wealth sharing in Sudan’s emerging economy.

– The census will pave the way for the first democratic elections in 23 years in 2009 by determining electoral constituencies.

– It starts on April 22 and lasts until May 6.

– The census will employ almost 60,000 people.

– Respondents will be asked if they are from the north or south but will not be asked their religion.

– The census will cost over $100 million.

– Final results are expected around September.

(Reuters)