Ensuring fairness and transparency in elections

In his opening speech at the workshop, Chairman of the Delegation Affairs Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai emphasized that the election of National Assembly and People's Council deputies is an important political event, demonstrating the people's mastery and a mechanism for the people to directly choose worthy representatives to participate in state power agencies.

The amendment, supplementation and completion of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Councils aims to ensure fairness and transparency in the election process, further improve the quality of elected representatives, and at the same time be consistent with the context of the country's socio-economic development.

The Chairman of the Delegation Work Committee noted that this amendment to the Election Law is placed within the overall arrangement and streamlining of the state apparatus according to Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW of the Politburo and the Resolution of the Central Committee, along with the amendment and supplementation of a number of articles of the Constitution with the policy of implementing a two-level government model. This is an important issue, having a great impact on the organization of the local government apparatus and election work in the coming time.

Therefore, the Chairman of the Delegation Work Committee suggested that delegates focus on discussing and giving opinions on: necessary adjustments and amendments to suit the two-level government model, ensuring consistency and unity with the provisions of the Constitution and relevant legal documents; election organization, establishment of organizations in charge of elections, division of electoral units in the context of streamlining the apparatus, to ensure the effective operation of the local government system; mechanisms to further improve the quality of elected representatives, in the condition of not organizing at the district level and shortening the time to implement the process and procedures in election work.

Strengthening the application of digital technology in election work

Delegates agreed with the need to amend the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies; some opinions suggested keeping the current Law's option that all three consultative conferences at the Central level are organized by the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and consultative conferences in provinces and centrally-run cities are organized by the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Regarding the regulations on voting areas, delegates said that the People's Committee at the commune level decides on the voting areas, ensuring flexibility and suitability to local conditions. The People's Committee at the provincial level does not need to approve but can issue general instructions, inspect and supervise to ensure consistency throughout the province. It is necessary to apply science and technology, apply digital transformation in the preparation and posting of candidate lists.

Regarding election campaigning, the forms of voter contact are direct, online and other forms. It is necessary to clarify what other forms are to avoid abuse and lack of transparency in election campaigning.

With the regulation on voting time set at 5 p.m., delegates proposed extending it to 7 p.m., and in special cases to 9 p.m. to facilitate those who have to work far away or work overtime...

Delegates also expressed concerns about the time and number of National Assembly deputies of the 16th tenure, the draft Law stipulates no more than 500 people; proposed to reduce the number of National Assembly deputies working part-time to increase the number of National Assembly deputies working full-time to 40% - 50%.

In addition, the Law on Organization of Local Government stipulates that the People's Councils at provincial and district levels have full-time deputies, the number of which is decided by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. However, the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies does not have specific provisions on criteria, selection mechanism and proportion of full-time deputies right from the election stage. Therefore, the delegates suggested that the provisions on full-time People's Council deputies should be added to the Law.

Delegates also suggested that there should be enough time for competent authorities to verify and resolve complaints and denunciations against candidates.

In his closing remarks at the workshop, Chairman of the Delegation Affairs Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai acknowledged and highly appreciated the delegates’ contributions. Based on the delegates’ opinions, the drafting agency will absorb and study them to complete the draft Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils (amended).

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/gop-y-du-thao-luat-bau-cu-dai-bieu-quoc-hoi-va-dai-bieu-hoi-dong-nhan-dan-sua-doi-post409198.html