2011 Census begins in Czech Republic

At midnight the census of people, houses and apartments began in the Czech Republic. As of that moment it became possible to complete data into either hard-copy or online forms. The census forms are meant to record the situation as of that moment. Instructions and answers to the most frequently asked questions are available in English at http://www.scitani.cz/guideen.nsf

Forms have already been distributed by census commissioners. If they did not manage to contact the residents of a household during their first visit, they were supposed to have scheduled an alternate visit. If the forms could not be delivered on the second attempt, people were to have picked them up at their local post office. In some places, however, long lines were created as a result. The forms can be picked up at post offices until 14 April. They will also be available at town halls and offices of the Czech Statistical Bureau as of 5 April.

Every individual should complete a personal record. Parents should complete the form for their children. The apartment record should be completed by a single individual on behalf of the entire household. The house record should be completed only by the homeowner. Since midnight it has also been possible to send the data in through the internet, but one still needs a hard copy form to do so, because it includes a code that must be input. The census ends on 14 April. Persons who fail to complete the form, or who never submit the form, can be fined up to CZK 10 000.