 A poster for the general election (Photo: VGP) |
Following the success of the 14th National Party Congress, preparations for the elections of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term have been carried out in a coordinated manner, focusing on the quality of elected representatives. All the processes including candidate structure, consultative process, and election campaigning have been geared toward building a professional, action-oriented National Assembly for the coming term.
Improving the quality of deputies, ensuring democracy
A list of 864 candidates for the 16th National Assembly has been publicly posted in 182 constituencies nationwide. More than 73 million voters will cast their ballots to elect 500 deputies.
Among the 864 candidates, 392 (45.37%) are women, 188 (21.76%) are from ethnic minority groups, 65 (7.52%) are not Party members, 593 (68.63%) hold postgraduate degrees, 612 (70.83%) are first-time candidates, and 643 (74.42%) were nominated by localities. These figures show that the 16th National Assembly will have a broad representation.
Bui Huyen Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi, said: “The structure of candidates ensures representation across sectors, social groups, regions, and ethnicities and aims to protect vulnerable groups like women and ethnic minorities when the most exemplary candidates are selected.”
The selection process involved three rounds of consultative meetings, collecting of voter feedback, and thorough examination of candidate dossiers, with the aim of meeting the requirements for number and structure while ensuring the candidates’ ethics, competence, qualifications, intellect, sense of responsibility, and courage to act in the public interest.
Ta Thi Yen, Deputy Head of the Committee for Deputy Affairs and Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the National Election Council, said: “The selection of candidates has been careful and prudent and has met all legal standards and conditions. Party General Secretary To Lam said it’s important to ensure the number and structure of candidates, and the quality of deputies must be the top priority.”
The National Election Council said candidate lists have been made public earlier than required to give voters more time to consider their decision.
A vote of trust
March 15 will be a national celebration of democracy, when voters exercise their right and responsibility to choose deserved representatives to the country’s highest state authority. Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children, said: “Vietnam is beginning to realize its national aspiration of becoming a developed country by 2045. This requires National Assembly deputies to exhibit outstanding qualities, talents, and a great dedication to public service. Voters are increasingly aware of their rights and responsibilities for national development.”
The election of deputies to the National Assembly is a periodic political challenge to select outstanding individuals to lead the country’s highest state agency. If quality is prioritized, representation is ensured, and voters fully embrace their rights and responsibilities, Vietnam will build a professional, action-oriented National Assembly capable of making Vietnam’s development aspirations a reality.