A nationwide census has been launched by Myanmar’s military government, which says it will be used to compile voter lists for a general election promised for next year, even though much of the country is engulfed in civil war.

On Tuesday, Myanmar’s ruling junta officially launched a census aimed at creating election rolls for a promised vote next year.

Critics argue that the information gathered could be used to monitor and target opponents of the junta, as well as bolster conscription efforts, following the military’s struggles against pro-democrac