Census fieldwork paused in Antigua and Barbuda on April 1. The National Bureau of Statistics made the decision before the April 30 election.

Firstly, the National Bureau of Statistics stopped door-to-door data collection. Leaders aim to protect neutrality and public trust.

Moreover, Director Statchel Edwards explained the pause. He said officials want to prevent confusion with political canvassers.

In addition, the Bureau wants residents to identify census workers clearly. These workers collect official national data across the country.

Therefore, officials followed international census guidelines. These rules separate census work from election activity.

Fieldwork will restart in May. However, the Bureau will wait until after a short post-election period.

Meanwhile, Bureau staff continue internal work. They review collected data for accuracy and quality.

They also process information already gathered. In addition, they refine plans for the restart.

Furthermore, Edwards confirmed a delay in redeployment. He said the Bureau will allow the election period to fully settle.

At the same time, census training continues. About 100 new workers completed training in March.

As a result, the workforce now includes nearly 500 enumerators. This supports nationwide coverage.

However, the Bureau still faces challenges. Some workers leave before finishing their assignments.

In addition, some residents refuse or miss census visits. This slows data collection progress.

Still, Edwards reminded the public about legal duties. The National Bureau of Statistics Act requires participation.

Even so, he said the Bureau prefers cooperation over penalties. Officials encourage voluntary compliance.

Meanwhile, privacy protections remain strong. Staff store all data on secure servers.

Only trained officers with secrecy oaths access the records. This protects confidentiality.

When fieldwork resumes, residents should verify census staff. They should check ID cards, vests, and authorization letters.

Finally, the Bureau aims to complete fieldwork before the end of 2025. Success depends on cooperation and field conditions.