Shortly following the flag-raising ceremony at the polling stations were the reading the opening speech; announcing the election regulations and polling station rules; inspecting the main and supplementary ballot boxes in the presence of voters; and sealing the main and supplementary ballot boxes according to regulations.
 Party General Secretary To Lam and other Party and State leaders take part in the election in Hanoi. Photo: VOV. |
Party General Secretary To Lam, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, and voters in their residential areas exercised their civic rights at polling station No. 2, electoral unit No. 1, Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi city.
After casting his vote, General Secretary Lam said, “This election takes place after we successfully held the 14th National Party Congress. All policies, guidelines, and directions for the development of our country in this term, as well as the vision for future periods, have been introduced, disseminated, and strongly supported by the people, cadres, and Party members."
"So, this election of the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels comes after the most fundamental issues of the Party and State's guidelines, policies, and strategies, as well as those of the various levels and localities, were thoroughly understood. It received strong support from the people, who regarded it as a great national event to directly express their right to freedom and self-determination, to choose individuals with sufficient prestige and trustworthiness to shoulder the common tasks of the country and localities.”
 President Luong Cuong and delegates attend the flag-raising ceremony at the opening of the election at a polling station in the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV |
Also this morning, President Luong Cuong cast his vote at polling station No. 26, Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cast his vote at polling station No. 21, Tay Ho ward, Hanoi. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man cast his vote at polling station No. 14, Ho Chi Minh City.
 National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who is also Chairman of the National Election Council, exercises his right to vote at polling station No. 14, Hoc Mon commune, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ha Khanh/VOV |
At polling stations nationwide, a large number of voters came to exercise their rights and duties, choosing representatives to voice the opinions of the voters and the people.
“Today I feel very happy because it is the first time I have held a ballot in my hand to exercise my rights and duties as a citizen to choose people who are talented and virtuous enough to serve the people. I hope that those elected will develop their abilities and propose sound policies so that the country will become more developed and stable,” a voter said.
“My family has four members and we were eager to come early to cast our votes, to elect people who are virtuous and talented. I am very excited. I believe we will be able to choose worthy representatives,” according to another voter.
 At polling station number 14 in Hoc Mon commune, Ho Chi Minh city, voters arrive very early to attend the opening ceremony. Photo: Ha Khanh/VOV |
Ta Thi Yen, Deputy Head of the Standing Office of the National Election Council, provided early information on the election at the Press Center, saying, “According to updated information from localities, there have been no unexpected situations or abnormal incidents. The atmosphere at polling stations has been buzzing since very early on. Voters and the public are very enthusiastic, and in many places, voters have already arrived to attend the opening ceremony and exercise their civic rights."
"At the National Election Council Office, we will continuously update on the election situation and the number of voters who will cast their ballots today,” Yen said.
Voters will elect 500 representatives to the 16th National Assembly, 2,552 representatives to the Provincial People's Councils, and 72,611 representatives to the Commune People's Councils.