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Liberians stand up to be counted Liberians stand up to be counted
(20 minutes later)
Liberia is conducting its first census since 1984, after years of civil war, and a public holiday has been declared. Billboards and advertising songs on radio have been reminding people to stay at home from Friday in order to be counted and schools are closed. Liberia is conducting its first census since 1984, after years of civil war, and a public holiday has been declared.
Public adverts and pop songs have been reminding people to stay at home to be counted, while dispelling fears that the census would mean extra taxes.
Government officials hope the census will provide accurate statistics, vital for development planning.Government officials hope the census will provide accurate statistics, vital for development planning.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to power in 2006 after elections supposed to end the 14-year conflict.President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to power in 2006 after elections supposed to end the 14-year conflict.
It is for development, not for taxes Lyrics from the census song
Constitutionally a census should be held every 10 years. Last year, the UN estimated the population was about 3.8 million.Constitutionally a census should be held every 10 years. Last year, the UN estimated the population was about 3.8 million.
The first day of the census has been declared a national holiday and the count will last several days. The count will last several days.
Pop song
The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh in the capital, Monrovia, says years of civil war have led to a poverty-stricken and mostly illiterate population.
Schools have been closed for the head count
There has been a vigorous campaign to educate people on the purpose of the census.
To try and dispel any suspicions, the government commissioned one of the country's top pop stars to compose a song.
Our correspondent say it has been translated into Liberia's 16 languages and is playing daily on the radio, urging Liberians to "stand up and be counted".
"It is for development, not for taxes," the lyrics say.
A national housing authority official told the BBC that the census statistics were vital to help with planning.
Census workers have already discovered that numerous villages that existed on the 1984 map are now deserted because of the war, AP news agency reports.
Around 250,000 people were killed in Liberia's civil war and many thousands more fled the fighting.
The UN maintains some 15,000 peacekeepers in Liberia.