Communist Review - The election of deputies to the 15^th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People's Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure is a major political event and a widespread democratic campaign among all walks of life. The election was successful, ensuring democracy, equality, lawfulness, safety, economy and it was a great festival for the whole people. The results of the election constitute an important premise for reforming the organization and operation of NA in the process of building and perfecting a Socialist rule-of-law state. 

After careful preparation, in compliance with the law, on May 23, 2021, nearly 70 million voters nationwide actively participated in voting with a sense of ownership and responsibility to select the most competent and qualified candidates representing their will, aspirations, and right to mastery in the NA and all-level People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term.

The leadership and preparation for the election were carried out under the law in a very special context

The election of deputies to the 15^th NA and the People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure is a major political event and a central political task of the whole political system in 2021 when opportunities are intertwined with challenges. Vietnam has experienced more than 75 years of independence, 35 years of renovation, and has obtained remarkable and historical achievements. The 13^th Party Congress was successfully organized, setting goals, directions, and tasks for national construction and development towards the year 2030, with a vision towards 2045. All party members, military staff members, and citizens are striving to bring the Resolution of the 13^th Congress to life, implement the five-year socio-economic development tasks 2021 - 2025 and build a Socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people, and for the people. The people's trust in the Party and State is consolidated and strengthened, creating a solid foundation and premise for rapid and sustainable growth of the country.

For the first time in the history of 15 National Assembly elections, except during wartime, this is an election that takes place in the context of countless obstacles and challenges when we must organize it successfully under the law while ensuring safety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and well performing the mission of economic recovery and development, ensuring social security and safety for inhabitants. Close to the election day, the 4^th wave of COVID-19 broke out in Vietnam with a faster - spreading new variant and more dangerous. By the election day, the COVID-19 pandemic has surged in 30 provinces and municipalities, causing serious impacts, resulting in lockdown and quarantine in several localities. The regional and global situation had complicated and unpredictable developments with potential risks and new unstable factors. Meanwhile, the hostile forces have been enhancing their sabotage strategy against the election.

In that circumstance, leadership is deployed consistently, drastically, synchronously, and promptly. The Politburo has issued Directive No. 45-CT/TW dated June 20, 2020 on “Leading the election of deputies to the 15^th National Assembly and People's Councils at a local level, 2021-2026 term”, in which 9 tasks have been outlined to successfully organize the election, associated with the implementation of the Resolution of the 13^th Congress. Central agencies issued 140 documents guiding the organization and supervision of the election. Of these documents, the National Election Council issued 96 documents, established 23 delegations to inspect electoral preparation in 53 provinces and municipalities, and took control of 10 provinces and municipalities through reporting regime; held 2 online conferences to promptly handle problems related to electoral preparation. Party committees, authorities, Fatherland Front, and local socio-political organizations have shown their enormous efforts, determination, responsibility, and creativity.

Guided by documents of the Party and legal regulations, the process of personnel preparation, the organization of consultative conference to introduce candidates to the NA and the People's Councils at all levels were prudently, legally conducted in line with personnel results of the Party congresses at all levels and cadre planning to promote democracy and strengthen the Party's unified and centralized leadership, introduce qualified and ethical candidates representing the will, aspirations, and right to mastery of the people to the next NA and People's Council. Candidates who do not fulfill a range of criteria of a good moral, political character or break the law, commit corruption, wastefulness will not be eligible.

On a national scale, after the third consultative conference, there are 866 candidates for the NA election (excluding 2 candidates withdrawn by the National Election Council), 6,199 candidates for provincial People's Councils, 37,468 candidates for district People's Council, 405,244 candidates for commune-level People's Council. The quality of candidates has been improved, fulfilling criteria prescribed by the Law on Elections of Deputies to the NA and People's Council in 2015, amended and supplemented in 2020. These are exemplary people in terms of quality, ethics, lifestyle, ability, and work experience to become candidates. The structure and composition of nominated candidates are reasonable and suitable to specific conditions of each locality. Among candidates for the NA, there are 393 women, reaching 45.38%; 185 from ethnic minorities, representing 21.36%. The percentage of candidates to the People's Councils at the provincial and district levels who are women, ethnic minorities, young people, and non-Party members is equal to or even higher than the level prescribed in many localities (1). Voter contact and electoral campaigning are conducted in a democratic, public, equal, and lawful manner, ensuring social order and safety. Many localities have created diverse and flexible forms of electoral campaigning in each specific condition, taking advantage of information technology, while ensuring the right to electoral campaigning to seek electoral support and mobilize the wide and responsible participation of voters, while implementing successful disease control and prevention measures.

The establishment of the National Election  Council and local electoral agencies (2) met the regulation on procedures, schedule, number of candidates, and composition. Due attention has been given to the selection of members to electoral agencies which have prestige, legal knowledge, and experiences in the electoral organization. Workshops on training for voting operations were well organized at the grassroots level. Electoral agencies from the central to the grassroots level have actively and effectively carried out their statutory duties and attributions in all aspects of leadership and organization. Election propaganda is carried out holistically in various forms, with a focus on specific content to provide accurate information about the election, candidates, state apparatus, policy of building and perfecting a socialist rule of law state, making an important contribution to raising awareness, political consciousness, and civic responsibility, creating a democratic environment, and mobilizing voters across the country to actively involve in voting, effectively fighting against fake news, distortions, oppositions, and sabotage. 

Particular consideration has been given to ensuring security, social order, and effective disease prevention and control. Localities, units, election offices, and health agencies have taken strict epidemic prevention and control measures. Rehearsals of election scenarios to flexibly respond to unusual situations, especially in polling stations, have been carried out. The voting right of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic or people in quarantine or lockdown regions was guaranteed... Authorities and functional forces have actively grasped the situation, developed action plans to maintain political security, social order, and safety, and promptly respond to natural disasters. 

Under the Party’s leadership and in compliance with the assigned tasks and legal regulations, the National Election Council, relevant agencies, and organizations at the central and local levels have well settled complaints and denunciations related to the election and candidates from the grassroots level, thus preventing future complaints on a larger scale. In some specific areas, early voting is allowed. The allocation of funds, logistics preparation have been well done to best ensure the right to vote of citizens, especially in hyperendemic areas.

Successes of the election of deputies to the 15^th NA and all - level People's Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure

Factors such as the close and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo, the Secretariat as well as the enormous efforts, determination, agility, responsibility, respect of law, flexibility, and active involvement of the entire political system during the electoral process along with the support and consensus of people from all walks of life, domestic and foreign compatriots, and voters across the country have made the election very successful. Electoral achievements are highlighted in the following aspects:

First of all, the election has been held smoothly without incident; political security and social order have been maintained.

Amidst the complicated development of Covid-19 pandemic, led by the correct motto: “the election can not be postponed due to epidemic and it can not aggravate pandemic”, the whole political system has been involved, all resources have been mobilized, multiple options and scenarios have been proposed. Early voting in extremely difficult areas, supplementary or mobile polling stations to each family in quarantine or isolation were permitted to support citizens’ voting rights. The security and social order have been guaranteed without incident.

Second, voter turnout reached 99.60% - the highest rate ever. The election promoted the spirit of democracy, upheld the people's mastery and civic responsibility in the government building.

In this election season, there were 69,243,604 voters out of 69,523,133 voters nationwide who cast their votes, accounting for 99.60%; 0.25% higher than the previous one (3). The provinces with the highest voter turnout were respectively: Hau Giang: 99.99%, Lang Son: 99.99%, Lao Cai: 99.98%, Tra Vinh: 99.97%, Binh Phuoc: 99.97%, Vinh Long: 99.96%, Ben Tre: 99.96%, Ha Giang: 99.96%, Yen Bai: 99.96%... Especially, in localities in quarantine and isolation, the voter turnout remained extremely high, such as Bac Giang: 99.02%, Bac Ninh: 99.07%, Hanoi: 99 ,16%, Vinh Phuc: 99.41%, Hai Duong: 99.67%, etc.

An extremely high voter turnout of 99.60% proved the real vitality of the Platform for nation building in the transitional period to socialism (Amended and completed in 2011) which is: “Socialist democracy is the essence of our regime, it is both the goal and the driving force for national growth” (4). “Building a socialist democracy so that power truly belongs to the people is a crucial and long-term mission of the Vietnamese revolution” (5). This election affirms patriotism, the strength of the great national unity bloc, the people's sense of mastery, the people's participation in democracy, and the civic responsibility in building the government. It also confirms the people's strong belief in the Party, State, and the socialist regime. This is a solid political and legal foundation for organizing the exercise of state power, building a pure and strong state apparatus of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Third, as result, 499 NA deputies were elected, reaching 99.8% of the total number required by law; the quality of deputies is improved; The compositional structure is reasonable - an important premise for renewal and improvement of the quality and operational efficiency of the 15^th NA.

The elected delegates fulfill statutory criteria. They are examples of morality, political qualities, capacities, qualifications, and bravery, worthy of representing the will and aspirations of the people to exercise state power in NA on behalf of the people. Professional qualifications of deputies for the 15^th tenure have been raised: 392 deputies have graduate degrees (78.55%), including 144 doctorates, 248 masters, 106 deputies at the graduate degree (accounting for 21.24%). About the title: 12 Professors, 20 Associate Professors (6). The relationship between deputy quality and composition is balanced under the principle: “quality first, requirements in deputy composition and structure do not lower quality standards” (7).

The Resolution of the 13^th Party Congress on “Ensuring standards and structure, improving the quality of NA deputies, increasing a rational number of full-time deputies, and reducing the number of deputies working in agencies of the executive and judicial branch has been effectively implemented” (8). In this election, the number of elected full-time deputies was 193 (126 at the Central level, 67 at the local level), accounting for 38.68% of NA deputies, reaching approximately 40% stipulated by the Law on Organization of the National Assembly. The full-time deputies are all qualified to meet the necessary standards: good political capacity, qualifications, qualities, and working experiences. They will play a pivotal role in NA from the central to the local level.

The structure and composition of deputies are reasonable, representing classes, occupations, and fields, ethnicity, religion, age, and gender. In particular, the percentage of women and ethnic minority deputies met or even exceeded previously set targets, higher than that of recent terms, which is appropriate to the national goal on gender equality and the representation of ethnic groups in the NA. With 151 female deputies, reaching the rate of 30.26%, the highest since the 6th NA so far, Vietnam continues to become a country with a high proportion of female NA deputies compared to other countries in the region and the world. There are 89 ethnic minority representatives (17.84%), of which there are 2 from very small ethnic minorities (Lu and Brau) that are elected NA deputies for the first time. The number of re-elected deputies is 203 (accounting for 40.68%), much higher than that of the 14^th NA.

Fourth, the number and composition of People's Council deputies at all levels are suitable to the specific characteristics of each locality.

At the provincial level, 3,721 candidates are elected, 22,550 at the district level, 239,788 at the commune level (9). Notably, the proportion of female deputies increased significantly, 29% at the provincial level, 29.08% at the district level. The percentage of re-elected deputies increased sharply compared to the previous term, reaching 42.09% at the provincial level, 44.07% at the district level, 54.04% at the commune level (10).

Besides the above-mentioned outstanding results, the election process also revealed some shortcomings and inadequacies. For example, in consultative conferences of some localities, the additional number of candidates is still not guaranteed, and some candidates still violate the law. In particular, the election was re-organized in some localities due to the lack of the required number of elected candidates (electing additional 3 district-level People's Council deputies in 2 constituencies and 280 commune-level People's Council deputies in 175 constituencies nationwide) (11). Some guiding documents are still issued slowly and need to be adjusted; there are unnecessary errors when performing election operations...

The fruitful accomplishments of the election result from multiple factors such as the comprehensive and rapid leadership of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Election Council, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front and agencies, ministries, branches, committees at all levels, authorities in the political system, electoral offices from the central to the grassroots level as well as their active involvement, agility to provide accurate information and maintain security and social order during the election process. Moreover, the support and responsible participation of all classes of people from compatriots at home and abroad to voters nationwide made the election successful.

Promoting election results, continuing to renew the organization and operation of the 15^th National Assembly

Huge achievements of this election are of great significance, demonstrating the comprehensive unity of the Party and people’s will - a solid premise for the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 13^th Party Congress to build efficient state and local agencies in the upcoming term, thus consolidating and perfecting socialist rule of law State of Vietnam of the people, by the people and for the people. The government elected by the people will stay close to the people, ensure the full exercise of their right to mastery, respect and listen to their opinions and be placed under their supervision to pursue the goal of “Rich people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization”.

Inheriting the 75-year glorious tradition of the National Assembly of Vietnam, promoting the experience and achievements of the 14^th tenure, in the next term, the National Assembly should continue to renovate its organization and operation under the Resolution of the 13^th Party Congress so that it becomes the highest - level representative body of the people and the highest organ of state power. In order to “renovate methods, improve operational quality and efficiency, promote democracy and the rule of law, increase professionalism in the organization and operation of the NA” (12), to make an important contribution to building and perfecting a socialist rule of law state, it is essential to focus on the following key solutions:

Firstly, ensure the comprehensive leadership of the Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat over the NA organization and operation. Renovate the organization, the mode of operation, and the coordination between party organizations within NA agencies to improve leadership capacity and effectiveness. Formulate the projects assigned by the Politburo and the Secretariat on the legislative orientation of the 15^th NA, the Strategy for building and perfecting the socialist rule of law state in Vietnam to 2030, with a vision to 2045, including the Strategy on Law Building and Judicial Reform guided by the Resolution of the 13^th Party Congress. Successfully conduct the Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 13^th National Assembly Party Congress as well as Party's resolutions through the activities of the National Assembly, its agencies, and deputies.

Secondly, improve the quality of legislature to meet the requirements of building a Socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people in the new period. When concretizing the Resolution of the 13^th Party Congress, the National Assembly should give priority to developing a legal framework for a sustainable building and perfecting the socialist rule of law state; renovate the organization and operation of the state apparatus so that it is compact and effective. Strengthen decentralization and inspection, supervision, and strict control of power. Promote socialist democracy and the people's right to mastery; boost judicial reform, prevent and combat corruption and negative behaviors, maintain social order and strengthen discipline. Perfect the socialist-oriented market economy institution, creating a conducive, healthy, and equal environment for investment and business of all economic sectors. Promote research, application, transfer, and development of science and technology, take full advantage of the achievements of the 4^th Industrial Revolution, emphasize innovation, national digital transformation, develop economy digital, sharing economy, digital society, promote the circular economy, green growth, biodiversity. Mobilize, manage and use rationally and effectively all resources for development, especially land, finance, public-private partnership. Build an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, develop an inclusive society. Effectively implement policies on health, population, labor and employment, social welfare, and social security. Protect and improve the environment, adapt to climate change, prevent, stem and mitigate natural disasters. Accelerate international integration, ensure the constitutionality, legitimacy, uniformity of legal normative documents in the legal system, and compatibility with relevant international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory. Consolidate national defense and security, firmly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

Thirdly, a core emphasis should be put on renewing and intensifying supervision to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the NA operations. The supervision program of the NA, its agencies as well as each NA member needs to be systematic and follow the tasks and solutions set out by NA Resolutions, especially on major issues related to renewing the growth model, stabilizing the macro-economy, restructuring the economy, implementing important national projects, reforming administration, streamlining the state apparatus and public non-business units and issues concerning culture, social security, integration, international economic cooperation, national defense, security, and social order. Fields and matters placed under NA supreme supervision must be the biggest issues facing the country, promptly responding to the legitimate aspirations of inhabitants and voters. In parallel with that, it is essential to reform the state apparatus, improve the quality of cadres, civil servants, and public employees, ensure transparency in mobilizing and using national resources, fight against corruption under the Party leadership. The supreme supervision of the NA, as well as the supervision of NA agencies and deputies, must make an advance in law enforcement by state agencies from central to local levels, especially heads of agencies at all levels.

Fourthly, renovating the decision-making process on important national issues is a central and regular task of the NA. Constantly innovate the mode of operation and improve the quality in the NA’s decision on goals, targets, policies, and basic tasks for long-term and annual socio-economic development of the country, undertakings on national target programs and projects. Improving the quality and mode of working of each NA member constitutes the most important factor.

Fifthly, improve the quality of decision-making on essential diplomatic policies. Strengthen the NA's diplomacy in association with Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy to play to the fullest extent parliamentary diplomacy as well as the overall national power. Leverage multilateral diplomacy, actively promote the role of the Vietnam NA in handling key issues of strategic importance in regional and international multilateral inter-parliamentary mechanisms. Promote international integration, maintain peace and stability, promote dialogue and cooperation, enhance the prestige of the NA and the country's position in the international arena.

Sixthly, renovate the organization of the NA. Top priority should be given to promoting the core role of the contingent of full-time deputies, gradually raising the number of full-time deputies to a minimum ratio of 40 % required by the Law on Organization of the National Assembly 2014, amended and supplemented in 2020. Strengthen the role of permanent deputies, renovate the organization and operation of sub-committees in Vietnam Committee on ethnic affairs and other committees within the NA; stipulate a reasonable number of leaders, permanent members, full-time members; appoint competent members with experience to assume responsibility in Vietnam Committee on ethnic affairs and NA’s committees. Improve the organization and operation of the Secretariat, Office, advisory and assisting agencies, NA Standing Committee so that they run professionally and effectively.

Strongly improve the working style of the NA. Amende and complete documents on its activities such as: Rules of the NA sessions; Regulations of the NA Standing Committee, the Vietnam Committee on ethnic affairs Council and other committees; documents on citizen reception, voter contact, settlement of complaints and denunciations and so forth. Create a legal framework for the NA’s activities, its agencies, and its deputies by promoting democracy, building the central position of NA deputies. Continue to strongly renew the activities of the National Assembly from a “reporting” mechanism to a “discussion and debate” mechanism. Regulate the relationship and responsibilities between NA agencies, separate levels of responsibility: collective responsibility and individual responsibility of each deputy. Take measures for effective implementation of some attributions of deputies, such as the right to submit law projects and ordinance projects, the right to make recommendations on laws and ordinances, and other attributions stipulated by the Law on Organization of the National Assembly in 2014, amended and supplemented in 2020. Develop a mechanism helping deputies to establish a close-knit bond with voters, especially voters in constituencies. Improve the effectiveness of voter contact, citizen reception, settlement of complaints, denunciations, and petitions of citizens. The National Assembly Standing Committee should intensify the supervision of the activities of the People's Councils of provinces and centrally-run cities. Concretize the legal provisions on supervising the activities of the People's Council, focus on fostering and improving the qualifications and operational skills of deputies of the People's Councils at all levels.

Seventhly, facilitate conditions to ensure the operation of the NA and deputies, especially full-time deputies; develop policies to attract experts and scientists to contribute to the NA's activities. Apply technological advances to build an e-Parliament. Amplify public communication, encourage news agencies and press to provide information about NA’s activities to a large number of voters, and reflect voters' opinions and recommendations.

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(1) See: Report No. 751/BC-HDBCQG dated June 11, 2021 on “The results of the election of deputies to the 15^th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure of the National Election Council”.

(2) Consisting of: 63 provincial election committees; 682 district election committees; 10,134 commune-level election committees; 184 election committees of National Assembly deputies; 1,059 election boards of provincial People's Council deputies; 6,188 election committees for People's Council deputies at district level; 69,619 election committees for commune-level People's Council deputies and 84,767 election teams.

(3) The election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 term has a total of 67,485,482 voters; the total number of voters who cast their votes was 67,049,091 (reaching 99.35%). National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p. 84

(5) Nguyen Phu Trong: “Some theoretical and practical issues about socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam”, Communist Review, No. 966, May 2021, p.9

(6) The 14^th tenure has 310 deputies with a graduate degree (62.50%), 180 deputies with an undergraduate degree (36.30%) and 6 deputies with a lower degree (1.20%)

(7) See: Directive No. 45-CT/TW dated June 20, 2020 of the Politburo on “Leadership in the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and the all- level People's Councils, 2021 - 2026”

(8) Documents of the 13^th National Congress, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, vol. I, p.176

(9) See: Report No. 751/BC-HDBCQG dated June 11, 2021 on “The results of the election of deputies to the 15^th National Assembly and all- level People's Council deputies for the 2021-2026 term of the National Election Council”

(10) During the election of deputies to the 14^th National Assembly and all- level People's Councils for the 2016-2021 term, this rate is respectively 33.34% at the provincial level; 32.79% at district level; 44.75% at commune level

(11) During the election of deputies to the 14^th National Assembly and all- level People's Councils for the 2016-2021 term, 3 additional district-level People's Council members and 1,285 commune-level People's Council deputies were elected.

(12) Documents of the 13^th National Congress, ibid, vol. I, p. 175

This article was published in the Communist Review No. 971 (August 2021)