Qeriqi: Minor issues during the census, but the results will benefit all communities in Kosovo

Associate of the Agency for Statistics, Hazbije Qeriqi, stated that there had been minor issues during the population census in Kosovo but that the results would benefit all communities.

“It cannot be said that there were problems, but during the census process, we faced a few challenges that were minor and were resolved very easily,” Qeriqi told Kosovo Online.

She added that the census results would produce a range of benefits for all communities in Kosovo.

“The results will reflect on the entire population living in Kosovo. The Serbian community will have the same benefits. For example, in the area of local self-governance, investments, and organizations that want to invest in programs that would provide a better life. They will benefit from this census because everyone will use this data for investments, and I am referring not only to international organizations but also to local self-governments that want to invest in something. They need this data to know in which areas it would be best to invest,” Qeriqi explained.

She said that the Statistical Agency, after extending the census deadline, had opened several phone lines so that everyone could have the opportunity to be counted.

“The Prime Minister informed the public that May 24 would be the last day of the census, but we opened several phone lines so that all residents from all over Kosovo could call and get in touch with the employees of the Statistical Agency and then be counted,” Qeriqi said.

Asked whether those who did not respond to the census would be sanctioned as initially stated, the representative of the Statistical Agency said that this was not the agency's responsibility but that of other institutions.

“Penalties are regulated by law, but we are only responsible for contacting the respondents and collecting data. Other institutions will be responsible for punishing those who boycotted the census system,” Qeriqi concluded.