Census 2017 has wrapped up its enumeration period.

From the 18th of September to the 8th of October, enumerators across Fiji canvassed households and had resident’s complete questionnaires on the Population and Household Census.

Government Statistician Epeli Waqavonovono says close to 98% of households were counted during the enumeration period which was spread across three weeks, ending yesterday.

This week Waqavonovono says bureau officials will work on verifying the data received as well as finalise any remaining call-backs that have lapsed from last week.

The Statistician says while there may be some people that have yet to be counted, the census aims to get a snapshot of the country at a particular time.

No census he says, ensures a 100% coverage.

Meanwhile during the census count, there were two separate reports in Suva of imposters.

In one instance, some members of the public impersonated enumerators and canvassed houses in Namadi Heights and Raiwaqa compiling information on mobile phones.

In the second case, imposters were reported handing out and collecting tampered census questionnaires in Valelevu.

Both cases remain under Police investigation.

Other census challenges included connectivity issues with tablets been used for the first time and hundreds of call backs in urban and peri-urban areas.

Preliminary results from Census 2017 are expected to be released as early as December.