Census and Statistics Act, 1955
This section states the short title of the Act: the Census and Statistics Act.
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- Jurisdiction
- Zambia
- Instrument
- Act or statute
- Citation
- Act 10 of 1955
- Version
- 31 Dec 1996
- Language
- en
- Official source
- View official record ↗
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Statute overview
About this statute
This section states the short title of the Act: the Census and Statistics Act. This section defines “authorised officer” and “Director” for the Act, unless the context requires otherwise. The Public Service Commission may appoint a Director of Census and Statistics, and that Director has the powers and duties given by the Act. The Director may appoint authorised officers in writing and may delegate that appointment power in writing. Workers carrying out this Act’s provisions must take and subscribe an oath of secrecy before a magistrate or commissioner for oaths before starting those duties.
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Legal text
Provisions of Census and Statistics Act, 1955
Showing 14 of 14
Part
Part I – Preliminary
- 1 Verify source ↗
Short title .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
AI-assisted research summary: This section states the short title of the Act: the Census and Statistics Act.
1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Census and Statistics Act. - 2 Verify source ↗
Interpretation ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
AI-assisted research summary: This section defines “authorised officer” and “Director” for the Act, unless the context requires otherwise.
2. Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— "authorised officer" means the Director and any person appointed as an authorised officer under the provisions of section four; "Director" means the Director of Census and Statistics. Part II – Administration
Part
Part II – Administration
- 3 Verify source ↗
Appointment of Director ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
AI-assisted research summary: The Public Service Commission may appoint a Director of Census and Statistics, and that Director has the powers and duties given by the Act.
3. Appointment of Director The Public Service Commission may appoint a Director of Census and Statistics who shall have such powers as are conferred and perform such duties as are imposed upon him by this Act. [As amended by S.I. No. 171 of 1965] - 4 Verify source ↗
Appointment of authorised officers .................................................................................................................................................. 1
AI-assisted research summary: The Director may appoint authorised officers in writing and may delegate that appointment power in writing.
4. Appointment of authorised officers (1) The Director may, in writing, appoint any person as an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act, and may in like manner delegate such power of appointment to any person. (2) Any delegation made in terms of subsection (1) may be revoked at any time by the Director and no such delegation shall affect the exercise by the Director of the power to appoint an authorised officer. By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 1 Census and Statistics Act, 1955 (Chapter 127) Zambia Repealed - 5 Verify source ↗
Oath of secrecy ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
AI-assisted research summary: Workers carrying out this Act’s provisions must take and subscribe an oath of secrecy before a magistrate or commissioner for oaths before starting those duties.
5. Oath of secrecy Every person employed in carrying out any of the provisions of this Act shall, before commencing his duties relating to such provisions, take and subscribe before a magistrate or commissioner for oaths such oath of secrecy as may be prescribed: Provided that where such person has before the 24th October, 1964, taken and subscribed such an oath he shall, on and after that date, be deemed to have taken and subscribed the oath of secrecy required by this section. [As amended by G.N. No. 83 of 1964 and S.I. No. 171 of 1965] Part III – Census and statistics
Part
Part III – Census and statistics
- 6 Verify source ↗
Census ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
AI-assisted research summary: The Minister may set the day for the census by Gazette notice.
6. Census (1) A census shall be taken on such day in any year as the Minister may fix by Gazette notice. (2) The census shall be taken— (a) of the number of persons or of any class of persons within Zambia or any part thereof; and (b) of such other particulars whatsoever; as shall be prescribed. [As amended by G.N. No. 83 of 1964] - 7 Verify source ↗
Statistics ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
AI-assisted research summary: The Director may collect statistics with the Minister’s approval, must collect them when the Minister directs, and must not collect them until required regulations specify the details, unless the person concerned consents.
7. Statistics (1) The Director may, with the approval of the Minister, and shall, whenever the Minister so directs, collect statistics for Zambia or any part thereof with respect to such matter as may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the Director shall not collect any such statistics until regulations have been made specifying the particulars and information to be furnished in relation to the matter with respect to which statistics are to be collected. (3) The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to the collection by the Director, with the consent of the person concerned, of statistics in relation to any matter. [As amended by G.N. No. 83 of 1964] - 8 Verify source ↗
Use of sampling methods ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
AI-assisted research summary: The Director may, if he thinks fit, use sampling methods when taking a census or collecting statistics.
8. Use of sampling methods The Director may, if he deems fit, use sampling methods in the taking of any census in terms of section six, or in the collection of statistics in terms of subsections (1) and (2) of section seven. - 9 Verify source ↗
Power to obtain particulars ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
AI-assisted research summary: An authorised officer may require people to provide particulars for a census or statistics collection, and the person must give the particulars in the required manner and time.
9. Power to obtain particulars (1) Whenever a census is being taken in terms of section six or statistics are being collected in terms of subsections (1) and (2) of section seven, an authorised officer may require any person from whom particulars may lawfully be obtained under this Act to supply him with such particulars as may be prescribed or such of those particulars as the Director may consider necessary or desirable in relation to the taking of such census or the collection of such statistics. (2) Any person required in terms of subsection (1) to supply particulars shall give all such particulars in such manner and within such time as may be required by the authorised officer in terms of the provisions of this Act. By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 2 Census and Statistics Act, 1955 (Chapter 127) Zambia Repealed (3) An authorised officer may require any person to supply him with particulars either by interviewing such person personally or by leaving at the last known address or posting to the last known address of such person a form having thereon a notice requiring the form to be filled up and returned in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time. Part IV – Miscellaneous
Part
Part IV – Miscellaneous
- 10 Verify source ↗
General duties of Director .................................................................................................................................................................. 3
AI-assisted research summary: The Director must carry out required censuses, organise a coordinated scheme of social and economic statistics for Zambia, and send an annual report to the Minister after 30 June.
10. General duties of Director It shall be the duty of the Director, subject to the provisions of this Act, to— (a) carry out any census required to be taken in terms of section six; (b) generally to organise a co-ordinated scheme of social and economic statistics relating to Zambia; and (c) submit a report to the Minister as soon as may be after the 30th June in each year on the work undertaken in terms of the provisions of this Act during the period of twelve months ending on that date. [As amended by G.N. No. 83 of 1964] - 11 Verify source ↗
Restrictions on disclosure of information .................................................................................................................................... 3
AI-assisted research summary: Certain returns, forms, answers, and identifying reports must not be disclosed except for a prosecution or with written permission; the Minister may also authorise disclosure in writing.
11. Restrictions on disclosure of information (1) Except for the purposes of a prosecution for a contravention of any of the provisions of this Act— (a) no individual return made and no form submitted for the purpose of this Act or any part of such return or form and no answer given to any question put for the purposes of this Act; and (b) no report containing particulars comprised in any such return, form or answer and so arranged as to enable identification of the particulars with the person by whom or on whose behalf the return was made, form was submitted or answer was given; shall be disclosed to any person who is not employed in carrying out the provisions of this Act without the written permission of the person by whom or on whose behalf the return was made, form was submitted or answer was given. (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in subsection (1), the Minister may in writing authorise the disclosure, on such terms and conditions as he may specify in such authority, of any such individual return, such form, or any part of any such return or form, or such answer to questions to any person employed in the Department of Agriculture or in the Department of Veterinary Services. [As amended by No. 2 of 1963 and G.N. No. 83 of 1964] - 12 Verify source ↗
Powers of entry ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
AI-assisted research summary: An authorised officer may enter and inspect land or premises, and make necessary inquiries, for census or statistics work. The officer must show written appointment if asked before using those powers.
12. Powers of entry (1) An authorised officer may at all reasonable times for any purpose connected with— (a) (b) the taking of a census in terms of section six, enter and inspect any land and any premises; and the collection of statistics in terms of subsections (1) and (2) of section seven, enter and inspect any land and any premises other than a dwelling-house; and may make such inquiries as may be necessary for the performance of his duties under this Act. (2) An authorised officer shall produce his written appointment as an authorised officer, or, in the case of the Director, proof of his appointment as Director, before exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) if required so to do by the owner, occupier, or person in charge of such land or premises. By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 3 Census and Statistics Act, 1955 (Chapter 127) Zambia Repealed - 13 Verify source ↗
Offences and penalties ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
AI-assisted research summary: This section creates offences for misuse or disclosure of sensitive information, false compilation or statements, obstructing an authorised officer, and failing to complete, deliver, or answer required documents or questions.
13. Offences and penalties (1) Any person employed in carrying out any of the provisions of this Act, who— (a) by virtue of such employment becomes possessed of any information which might exert an influence upon or affect the market value of any share, property, product, or article and who, before such information is made public, directly or indirectly uses such information for personal gain; (b) without lawful authority, publishes or communicates any information acquired by him in the course of his employment to any other person; or (c) knowingly compiles for publication any false statistics or information; shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding three thousand penalty units or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to such imprisonment without the option of a fine, or to both. (2) Any person to whom information has been disclosed in terms of subsection (2) of section eleven, who fails to comply with the terms and conditions on which such information was disclosed to him, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties prescribed in subsection (1). (3) Any person to whom any information has to his knowledge been disclosed in contravention of any provision of this Act, who publishes or communicates such information to any other person, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties prescribed in subsection (1). (4) Any person who— (a) hinders or obstructs an authorised officer in the exercise of any of his powers or the discharge of any of his duties under this Act; or (b) fails to— (i) duly complete any return, form, or other document lawfully left with or sent to him; (ii) transmit or deliver in accordance with such directions as may be contained therein or given to him by an authorised officer such return, form, or other document, duly completed; or (iii) answer any questions lawfully asked him by an authorised officer; or (c) contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of any regulation; or (d) knowingly makes any statement which is untrue in any material particular in any return, form, or other document submitted by him in terms of the provisions of this Act or in any answer made by him to an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act; shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred penalty units or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months. [As amended by Act No. 13 of 1994] - 14 Verify source ↗
Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
AI-assisted research summary: The Minister may make regulations by statutory instrument on matters prescribed by the Act and for carrying out the Act’s purposes.
14. Regulations (1) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make regulations for any matter that may be prescribed and generally for the better carrying out of the objects and purposes of this Act. (2) Without derogation from the generality of the foregoing, the Minister may make regulations— (a) specifying the particulars and information to be given in relation to any matter in respect of which statistics may be collected in terms of subsections (1) and (2) of section seven; and By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 4 Census and Statistics Act, 1955 (Chapter 127) Zambia Repealed (b) prescribing the manner and form in which, the times and places at which, and the persons by whom such particulars and information shall be given. (3) Regulations made in terms of this section shall apply to Zambia or to such area or areas within Zambia as may be specified in the regulations, and different regulations may be made in respect of different areas within Zambia and in respect of different classes of persons. [As amended by G.N. No. 83 of 1964] By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 5
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