Vladimir Putin: citizens's rights should be guaranteed when conducting census

Russian president Vladimir Putin believes that "to successfully conduct the census is the most important task of this year for all the levels of power." Speaking on Monday at a session of the state commission for conducting the all-Russian census, which is being held in the House of Government, the president emphasised that the census will become "a most serious test for trust" of the population in the authorities and "a check of efficiency" of the bodies of power at all levels. The head of state pointed to the fundamental elements of conducting the census scheduled for October this year. According to Putin it is necessary, above all, to guarantee the citizens' rights, including the inviolability of private life, in compliance with the passed federal law on the all-Russian census. The president emphasised that the attempts of some departments to gather additional information during the census, which is not stipulated in its lists, "are illegal and cannot be substantiated." In addition, the president pointed out, it is necessary to ensure the efficient coordination between the federal and regional authorities when the census will be conducted. The president also pointed to the need to take into account "the difficult demographic and migration processes in separate regions," including in megalopolises. In this context, he pointed to the importance of establishing "the working trustworthy relations with the leaders of ethnic groups" in various regions. Putin stressed the need for conducting information and explanatory work with the countrymen who live abroad to receive the authentic data about that part of Russian citizens. According to him, it is necessary to actively attract the Russian and diplomatic missions as well as the bodies of the local authority in various countries, taking into account that the all-Russian census is being held within the framework of the UN global initiative. In conclusion, Putin stressed that the population should understand the tasks and the technology of the all-Russian census, and competent propaganda and explanatory work should be done for this purpose.