Communist Review - It is of importance to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the leaders of party committee in the current period, in order to maintain and enhance the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, improve the quality of party building and rectification, control the exercise of power, especially the power of the leaders of the party committee, and ensure discipline and order within the Party. This also serves as the basis for effective evaluation, review, and screening of cadres.

The urgency of strengthening the inspection and supervision of the heads of party committee

Heads of party committee play a crucial role in directing, managing, and making decisions directly related to the activities and development of party organizations, agencies, and units. This requires them to be trained, nurtured and challenged to gain necessary capacity, qualities, courage, credibility, and truly become the “pioneer” in the country's innovation and development endeavour. The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam identified that “building a contingency of cadres, especially leaders, who have strong political qualities, are morally upright, outstandingly capable, dare to think, dare to speak, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, dare to innovate and create, dare to face difficulties and challenges, dare to act for the common interest, have high credibility, and are truly pioneers and exemplary, is the core of unity. Establishing regulations on the authority and responsibilities of the leaders in personnel work and management; effectively implementing regulations on controlling power in personnel work, and preventing position-seeking and power-seeking” (1).

As a necessity in the new era, the strengthening of the inspection and supervision of leaders in the Party hierarchy aims to maintain and enhance the leadership of the Party, improve the quality of party building and rectification, control the exercise of power, especially that of leaders in the party committee. At the same time, this ensures discipline and order within the Party; timely identifies new, positive factors to promote and protect the righteous, good people, officers who are brave enough to think, do, take responsibility, and dare to break through for the common good; timely detects and prevents, stops, and addresses the shortcomings and violations of the Party organization and members from scratch, avoids the worsening, lengthening of minor violations; creates conditions for leaders in the Party hierarchy to promote their active role, proactivity, and creativity in directing and commanding the activities of agencies, units, and localities, completing assigned political tasks; and overcome the passivity or shifting responsibility, which is used as a basis to evaluate, review, and select cadres.

The 13th Party Congress emphasized "Concentrate on inspecting and supervising Party organizations, leaders, and key cadres in places prone to violations, heated public concerns and issues; handle violations of Party organizations and members in a timely, resolute, comprehensive, and serious manner. Strengthen the management, inspection, and supervision of cadres and Party members, especially key leaders and managers at all levels to detect, prevent, and solve problems from afar and from scratch, avoid the exacerbation and perpetuation of minor violations” (2).

Basic principles of strengthening the inspection and supervision of leaders of party committee

Firstly, it is necessary to comply with the Political Platform, Party Charter, and relevant provisions on cadres and inspection and supervision work within the Party; Enhancing the leadership of the Party, the political responsibility of the leaders of party committee, and strictly abide by the rule of law. Timely identifying and replicating new factors, actively protect cadres who dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, and dare to break through for the common interest. At the same time, detecting, preventing, and solving problems from afar and from scratch, avoid the exacerbation and perpetuation of minor violations

Secondly, fully implementing inspection and supervision regulations within the Party, and in the political system as a whole; focusing on inspecting and supervising leaders and party committees on the following aspects: 1 - The implementation of the Political Platform, Party Charter, Party’s resolutions, directives, regulations, decisions, rules, guidelines, and State policies and laws; 2 - Compliance with the Party's organizational and operational principles, working regulations, exercise of democracy within the Party, and maintenance of internal unity; 3 - Leadership, guidance, and practice of thrift, prevention of corruption, wastefulness, negativity, management and cultivation of ethical standards and lifestyles of party members; 4 - Leadership, guidance, and organization of administrative and judicial reforms; 5 - Leadership and guidance of law enforcement agencies in their work on investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of judgments; 6 - Recruitment, selection, planning, training, development, evaluation, rotation, appointment, promotion, placement, use, nomination and election, commendation, discipline of cadres, and the implementation of personnel policies; 7 - Leadership, guidance, and resolution of complaints and denunciations.

Particular attention should be paid to inspecting and supervising heads of party committees in carrying out party member and party committee member standards, and in fulfilling their duties and powers in accordance with regulations of the Party, policies and laws of the State; inspecting and supervising their sense of responsibility, self-reflection, and criticism, and the virtues of frugality, honesty, integrity, and selflessness. Party committee heads must always be aware that they are subject to the inspection and supervision of Party organizations, and subject to the supervision of Party members and the masses. At the same time, the inspection and supervision responsibilities of party committees, standing committees, and committees at the same level should be strengthened in accordance with Party regulations.

Thirdly, clarifying the focus of content on inspection, supervision, responsibility, and forms of inspection and supervision. All levels of Party committees must fully understand the importance and necessity of strengthening the inspection and supervision of leaders as well as the collective Party leadership; effectively carrying out the inspection and supervision by higher-level Party organizations over lower-level Party organizations; and enhancing the awareness, political mettle, ideological consciousness, sense of discipline, pioneering spirit, and exemplary role of Party members and cadres, especially those who are in charge of Party committees in all activities of Party organizations, agencies, units, and localities.

Specific requirements for strengthening the inspection and supervision of Party committee heads

First of all, Party leaders themselves need to proactively set an example and conscientiously comply with inspections and supervision; at the same time, they need to have a firm political ideology and stance, take the lead in protecting the Party's ideological foundation and setting an example in implementing State policies and laws, and take the initiative in implementing inspection and supervision regulations within the Party, setting an example in fulfilling leadership responsibilities, directing and managing, and enforcing Party regulations and discipline. Leaders at all levels, especially high-ranking Party officials, leaders of Party organizations in ministries, departments, and localities, need to set an example in obeying the Party Constitution, strictly implementing the regulations of the Central Committee, Politburo, and guidance of the Central Inspection Committee and inspection committees at all levels on inspections, supervision, and Party discipline; building a clean and strong Party organization and setting an example in the struggle against privileged and vested interests, “group interests”, and, as party members, always maintaining the integrity and cleanliness.

Secondly, the focus and top priority of inspection and supervision should be placed on heads of the Party committee who are entrusted with important powers and political responsibilities in leading, directing, and managing. In some places, the “unification” policy is implemented, and leaders of the Party committee are often also heads of government agencies, departments, and sectors. Therefore, the political power entrusted to them is even greater and more concentrated. This requires the Party committees, inspection and supervision agencies in the Party organizations and political system to emphasize the inspection and supervision of the leader of the Party committee, taking the leader of the Party committee as the focus of regular and close inspections and supervision, so that they are fully aware of their responsibilities in the process of employing power, carefully directing and managing the activities of the agencies and units, and stay away from nepotism, corruption, abuses of power, or violations of power and the like. Through the inspection and supervision of heads of Party committee, possible limitations and shortcomings need to be identified and corrected, innovation to be encouraged. It is necessary to focus on deep understanding of the implementation of functions, tasks, and discipline in the agencies and units of the inspected and supervised ones, to deeply understand the important issues reflected in their activities. Reports are expected to apparently show the results of their performance as the highest responsible person, and their honesty and self-awareness; at the same time, specific opinions and requirements must be given to correct identified limitations and shortcomings.

Thirdly, it is necessary to strengthen the inspection and supervision work of the Party organization from top to bottom; the higher-level Party committees must perform their duty of inspecting and supervising the leader and the lower-level Party committees. Members of the Politburo, the Party Central Committee Secretariat, the Central Committee Executive Committee, the Party secretaries of the central and provincial departments, agencies and cities need to deeply understand the construction of discipline, work style, and working methods in the Party organization, state management agencies; inspect, supervise, and urge the juniors; comprehensively and strictly exercise their leadership responsibilities, honestly, self-aware, and responsibly towards the leader and the lower-level Party committees; timely educate them once mistakes arise.

The Central Inspection Committee is strengthening the monitoring of provincial and municipal party committees, collective party committees, and heads of party committees at agencies and units managed by the central government. They are urging provincial and municipal party committees to strengthen their management of the leaders of lower-level party committees. The “commander-in-chief” at higher levels needs to inspect and supervise the implementation of functions and tasks by the “commanders” at lower levels (especially at the direct lower level) as the focus of annual, quarterly, monthly, and even daily inspection and supervision. The results of this inspection and supervision will serve as a basis for reviewing and screening officials. When signs of violations or deviations are detected, it is necessary to promptly conduct criticism, education for those with minor shortcomings or violations, and strictly discipline those who commit serious violations.

Fourthly, the comprehensive and strict leadership regime of the party organization must be strictly enforced, in accordance with the responsibility of the head of the party committee. The party committees at all levels need to strengthen comprehensive monitoring and supervision of the implementation of party member responsibilities; timely educate those who have not fulfilled their responsibilities or involved in unresolved problems. The inspection committees at all levels need to monitor the responsibilities of the heads of party committee in carrying out the functions and tasks of the party organization, agencies, and units; regularly organize inspections, monitoring, feedback, and correction of deviations and violations. Improve and implement the comprehensive management and strict evaluation system of party members and party committee members' responsibilities; evaluation results lay an important basis for selecting and appointing party committees, heads, and implementing commendation and discipline work, as well as reviewing and screening party members. Those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities or with signs of intentional violations must hold accountable according to the regulations of the Party; party committees and heads of party organizations with violators bear joint responsibilities and need to consider appropriate measures to maintain discipline, integrity, and seriousness within the Party.

Fifthly, implementing the principles of democratic centralism and improve the mechanism of inspection and supervision. The party committees (especially the standing committee of the party committee), inspection committees at all levels need to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the lower-level heads of the party committees in implementing the principles of democratic centralism, prevent dictatorship and authoritarianism. The Central Inspection Commission focuses on inspecting and supervising the implementation of the principle of democratic centralism of provincial party committees, city party committees, and central-level subordinate party committees. Inspection committees at all levels require timely and serious review and remediation of the consequences once violations are detected. If these measures do not work, reports to party committee and the higher-level inspection committee need to be made.

Sixthly, timely grasping feedback about party committees; developing and fulfilling the responsibility of accountability for them. Higher-level party committees and inspection commissions need to strengthen regular inspection and supervision of the heads of lower-level party committees (especially those under direct control), and at the same time, thoroughly disseminate information about their functions, tasks, and work styles. Effectively implementing an information system between the inspection commissions, the higher-level organizational committees, and heads of lower-level party committees to notify them of common issues, serious disciplinary violations, and legal violations within their scope of responsibility. Conducting evaluation at expanded meetings of the Party committee's standing committee (or the Party work committee, Party delegation) and report on these accountability efforts, which should be publicly announced within a certain scope.

Key solutions to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the leaders of lower-level Party committees

First of all, enhancing inspection and supervision within the Party committee.

Firstly, it is necessary to strengthen inspection, supervision, and serious implementation of self-criticism and criticism within the Party committee. Party members and heads of the Party committees must strictly comply with the Party's Political Platform, Party Charter, regulations. If cadres or Party members are found to be in violation, they must be promptly reviewed and handled. The heads of the Party committee should fulfill the responsibility of managing and educating Party members, and serve as a model in self-criticism and criticism. Party members at all levels should regularly exchange opinions, and if they discover any problems within the Party organization, they should discuss them openly, provide advice, and propose solutions in a constructive spirit. The Party committee as a group must provide honest explanations of personal issues as well as those raised by the mass, carry out regular and surprise inspections and monitoring.

Secondly, leveraging the checking and supervising role of the Party Committee members, while enhancing their ability to detect and resolve issues. The Party Committee needs to fully implement its leadership responsibility in building and rectifying the Party, as well as establishing and perfecting relevant regulations. Members of the Party Committee and the collective need to have a high sense of responsibility and dedication to their work, remind and supervise each other, carry out tasks to consolidate and enhance the leadership role and fighting strength of the Party Committee. Violations among party members, if any, should be reported to authorized party organization.

Thirdly, perfecting the mechanism for controlling power within the party leadership, allocate power reasonably and scientifically, and resolutely prevent violations of the party's operating principles. Members of the party leadership should not turn their assigned tasks and responsibilities into their own personal domains, avoiding leadership and supervision from the party leadership. The rules and regulations for the work of the party leadership need to be developed and improved according to relevant provisions. Important issues should be discussed at the party leadership level, and members need to express their opinions fully. Controversies must be consulted thoroughly before the vote is taken.

Fourthly, the Party Committee builds and implements annual, quarterly, and monthly plans, manages, and supervises Party organizations. Heads of Party Committee regularly consider reports on the implementation of responsibilities by Party Committee members, timely exchanges opinions if they feel that the responsibilities are not being fully fulfilled, and at the same time, take into account the opinions of the masses, seriously absorbs self-criticism and criticism from Party Committee members and Party members within the Party organization; encourage Party members in the Party organization to well perform the building of a strong, transparent party and government.

Fifthly, Party committee strictly implements the regime of recording and storing documents to ensure the systematic and accurate nature of the archival documents, and no illegal interference is allowed in the work of cadres. If a Party committee member interferes with the work of cadres or makes decisions that violate regulations, laws, lack of conscientiousness, etc., in developing plans, then the Party committee must report it promptly to the Party organization. At the same time, the Party committee, the collective leadership, and the leading cadres must resolutely resist all forms of manipulation (especially in personnel work) by relatives, friends, etc. of the leading cadres and promptly report it to the Party organization.

Second, strengthening the inspection and supervision of the higher-level party committee over the leaders and lower-level party committees.

Firstly, the higher-level party organization must fulfill its responsibility to inspect and supervise the lower-level party organization, especially those directly under its supervision. The higher-level party committee must effectively lead the assigned tasks, while using comprehensive methods and measures such as inspection, supervision, discussion, accepting recommendations, reporting, urging, and rectifying issues to enhance the inspection and supervision of the lower-level party committee, especially its leader.

Secondly, the higher-level party committee must strengthen its control over the lower-level party committee, especially over the head of the lower-level party committee, and promote standardization of inspection and supervision work within the Party. The higher-level party committee must effectively use the system of power control, task management, and personnel management; focus on building and improving the system of management, inspection, and supervision of the head of the lower-level party committee to make it strict and effective

Thirdly, cadres and party members, especially those in leadership positions, must set an example in complying with Party and State regulations in case their spouses, children, relatives, or themselves are involved in business operations. They must not abuse their power for personal gain or to build “interest groups”, or promote personal interests. They should manage and supervise their relatives tightly and remind them regularly not to exploit their positions for personal gain. The Party committees and inspection agencies at all levels need to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of the relationships between leaders, especially those at the lower levels, with businesses and economic organizations, and promptly handle any reports or complaints about misconduct in these relationships in accordance with the law and party discipline.

Fourthly, higher-level party committee strengthens guidance to the lower-level party committee in organizing party activities based on the principles of centralized democracy; improving the quality of party activities, unifying the identification or approving the theme of party meetings of the lower-level party committee; higher-level party members are regularly assigned to participate in party activities with the lower-level party committee according to regulations. The Inspection Committee and the Organizing Committee of the higher-level party committee carry out inspections, supervision, and guidance to the party committee, heads of the lower-level party committee strictly implement the principles of centralized democracy, self-criticism, criticism, and the regulations on the activities of the party organization; clearly identify and urge lower-level party committee to promptly overcome limitations, weaknesses, and shortcomings; at the same time, settle difficulties and suggestions of the lower-level party committee.

Fifthly, strengthening the inspection and supervision of cadres and carrying out screening, evaluation, and selection of cadres. The higher-level party committee needs to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the process of recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, rotation, and appointment of cadres, strengthen the control of lower-level party members, especially with candidates appointed by the head of the lower-level party committee; analyze, evaluate, advise and propose opinions related to the inspection and supervision of cadres. It is necessary to implement well the standards, positions, and inspection and supervision procedures for cadres and party members. Inspection and supervision agencies need to actively update the files of party and government cadres; at the same time, have timely opinions and conclusions on the qualifications of party members and the standards of party members at all levels according to regulations; participate in evaluating and ranking the party committee and party members in a comprehensive, objective, and fair manner, combined with conclusions in inspections and supervision to provide a basis for screening, evaluation, and selection of cadres.

Sixthly, regularly analyzing, evaluating individual situations, complaints, accusations, and warning cadres, party members, committee members, and leaders whose juniors are subject to numerous complaints, accusations, and petitions. Higher level party committees must take into account opinions of lower level committees, cadres, party members, and the masses, seriously consider self-criticism and criticism. The inspection agencies and organizational units need to regularly analyze and evaluate the situation, propose opinions on handling issues that arise.

Seventhly, party committees and inspection commissions at all levels must strengthen inspection and supervision of the process of overcoming limitations and shortcomings, urging the implementation of inspection conclusions, strictly handling violations of party discipline and serious violations of laws. Improve the mechanism of inspection, supervision, and party discipline.

Third, strengthening Party's leadership in inspection and supervision

Firstly, enhancing the leadership of Party committees in inspection and supervision, improve regulations on inspection and supervision within the Party. Party committees at all levels must strictly follow the Party's regulations on inspection and supervision; focus on inspecting and supervising Party organizations, leaders, and key cadres in areas prone to violations and hotspot; strengthen inspection and supervision in accordance with their functions and tasks; pay attention to regular supervision of lower-level Party organizations and the supervision of Party members.

Secondly, party committees at all levels should enhance the leadership role of inspection and supervision work within the Party, coordinate closely with the operations of inspection, supervision, and justice agencies. This includes connecting the supervision activities of the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels; integrating different types of monitoring activities such as democratic monitoring, administrative monitoring, judicial monitoring, audit monitoring, financial accounting monitoring, statistical monitoring, public monitoring, and media monitoring. Strengthening the integration of information sources and effectively utilizing the big data of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to serve the inspection and supervision. Establishing and improving mechanisms for consulting, researching, assessing disciplinary violations, legal violations, and regularly consider related reports to efficiently coordinate different types of inspection and supervision.

Thirdly, further enhancing the role of the inspection committees at all levels to improve the effectiveness of inspection and supervision. The inspection committees at all levels must strengthen inspection and supervision, urge the leaders and organizations at all levels to comply with the Party Political Platform, the Party Charter, resolutions, directives, regulations, decisions, rules, conclusions, and guidance, as well as State policies and laws. Diverse inspection and supervision methods should be employed to enhance discipline, rigor, and strict adherence to laws, and resolutely handle abuses of power, corruption, waste, and negative behaviors. Negligence and irresponsibility are subject to strict punishment. Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the guidance of the lower-level inspection committees, organize vocational training and actively support the lower-level inspection committees in carrying out their tasks. It is also important to strengthen the discipline of the inspection bodies themselves, improve the internal control mechanisms, and effectively control the exercise of power.

---------------

(1) Proceedings of the 13th National Congress, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, Vol. I, pp. 187-188.

(2) Proceedings of the 13th National Congress, Vol. I, pp. 189-190.

(3), (4) See: Proceedings of the 13th National Congress, Vol. II, pp. 200, 197-198.

This article was published in the Communist Review No. 999 (October 2022)