Festive day of all people

The elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Council for 2021-2026 will take place nationwide on Sunday May 23, with nearly 85,000 polling stations. Voters will elect 500 deputies to the National Assembly - the highest organ of State power, and thousands of deputies to all-level People’s Council – the highest body of local power.

The elections take place as the 35-year reform (Doi moi) has recorded great and comprehensive achievements with hallmarks across spheres, notably the success of the 13th National Party Congress. The event, therefore, has been given momentum and facilitated in regard of leadership, instruction and implementation.

However, Vietnam is facing an array of difficulties and challenges given the complex developments of the regional and global situation, and plots by hostile forces to sabotage the elections, notably the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in a number of localities in the country and many countries in the region.

After the National Assembly’s Standing Committee issued a resolution designating the Sunday May 23 as the election day, State agencies at both central and local levels have quickly and seriously embarked on the preparation work in line with legal regulations.

The Election Council and all-level Party Committees, authorities and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees and relevant organisations have also promptly instructed the implementation of the election plan, issued relevant documents, and enhanced inspection and supervision, in order to ensure the elections come to fruition.

Consultative conferences at all levels were held in a democratic and public manner and in line with law. The listing of voters and biographies of candidates has been carried out in a timely manner, making it easier for voters to follow. The organisation of meetings with voters has also been organised as scheduled. Meanwhile, complaints and denunciations regarding the elections have been handled in a timely manner and in accordance with legal regulations. The political security and social order and safety have been guaranteed, material facilities in service of the elections have been prepared thoroughly and the information and communication work has been stepped up. All-level authorities, sectors, provinces and centrally-run cities have carried out creative communication methods, thus greatly helping to improve voters and people’s awareness of the purposes and significance of the elections. Going to cast ballots demonstrates citizens’ political consciousness and sense of responsibility as well as the people’s patriotism and trust in the Party’s leadership and the State’s management. It is an important factor for the elections to truly be a widespread political activity in the entire Party, people, and army. The success of the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016 - 2021 tenure holds extreme importance to the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and is also a significant milestone in the continuation of building, consolidating, and completing a socialist law-governed State in the new period. In late April, the National Election Council publicised the list of 868 candidates in 184 constituencies nationwide to elect 500 deputies to the 15th parliament. With a stringent five-step candidate selection process, those in the official list of candidates are all qualified in terms of morality and capacity. Being elected to the National Assembly or all-level People’s Councils is a great honour but also a heavy responsibility of each deputy towards voters and the country. Deputies of the National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils are representatives of the people’s will and aspirations and also represent the people to exercise the State power in the National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils. Therefore, the deputies must be strongly connected with constituents and placed under voters’ supervision, frequently meet voters to learn about their thoughts and aspirations, and collect and honestly report voters’ opinions and petitions to the National Assembly, all-level People’s Councils, and relevant agencies. Besides, the people-elected representatives also have to be role models in complying with the Constitution and laws and to protect citizens’ rights and legitimate interests./.