The public prosecution said those who released the census could face up to three months in prison and a fine of up to 1,000 riyals. Article 13 of the General Statistics System makes it a criminal offense to publish such information. Census participants are also barred from disclosing their occupation or industry. Stakeholders are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all data associated with statistics. The Public Prosecution has stated that disclosure and transfer of these information to any individual or private entity is prohibited.
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Meanwhile, the Census facility to provide information online on its own ended yesterday, March 25, officials said. As of March 24 alone, more than 4 million people, including expatriates, had submitted their census data online in this way. Enumerators will now visit homes and residences and collect census data directly. The General Authority for Statistics had earlier stated that it had a legal obligation to provide census information and that refusing or obstructing it was a punishable offense. The law applies to both natives and expatriates alike.
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The fifth census is currently underway in Saudi Arabia. The previous census was conducted in 2010. Saudi Arabia had a population of 27,136,977 at the 2010 census. But officials estimate that there has been a huge increase in population over the past 12 years. Authorities plan to release the census before December 31 this year. Officials said that women enumerators have been assigned to collect census data and this is a special feature.
Aranmula Vallasadya: Preparations are in progress
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