Q: Can you provide information on the results of the elections?
A: It can be affirmed that, the election of deputies to the 15th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term has been a success. As of 10 pm on May 23, 2021, the turnout rate was very high, affirming the patriotism, political consciousness and confidence of the people in the Party and State.
The country's turnout rate reached over 90%. Some provinces recorded high turnout rates such as Hau Giang (99.99%), Tra Vinh (99.98%), Lao Cai (99.98%), Vinh Long (99.97%), Ben Tre (99.97%), Ha Giang (99.96%), Gia Lai (99.95%), Quang Ninh (99.95%), and others.
Most election teams announced the end of the elections as the scheduled time while several places concluded the elections at 9 pm on May 23. Currently, Election Committees at localities are urgently finalising the reports on the election results to send to the National Election Council.
The high turnout rate once again affirms the political sense, high responsibility, and pride of citizens in considering and selecting worthy candidates to represent their will and aspirations in the NA and People's Councils at all levels.
In particular, amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, pandemic preventive measures were strictly and fully implemented in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease during voting.
The results of the election also demonstrated the sound leadership and direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, the President, the National Election Council, provincial Election Committees, and Party Committees and governments at all levels.
Q: Could you tell me about any major new points in the preparation for the election this year compared to previous terms?
A: This election has its largest scale ever, taking place in the context of our country having achieved great things in all areas after 35 years of renewal but also facing the heavy impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, something unprecedented in the country's election history. Therefore, preparations for the election this time had many differences compared to the previous ones.
Firstly, the organisation of the election ensured all works related to the election aligned with COVID-19 prevention and socio-economic development tasks. Therefore, the election preparation work received great attention from the Party and State leaders as well as direct, close and timely instructions.
Secondly, the National Election Council, in coordination with relevant agencies, promptly issued many guiding documents, especially guidance on dealing with situations arising during the election amid the raging pandemic, which facilitated the relevant agencies in implementing the election safely and effectively.
Thirdly, many localities had initiatives in information and propaganda work such as publicising the list of voters on the Zalo social networking platform, sending SMS to voters’ phones about the election, and others. In addition, the authorities detected and promptly handled any false information regarding the election in cyberspace.
Fourthly, personnel work was conducted carefully, objectively and democratically in accordance with the law. Any complaints about personnel work were also handled in a timely and lawful manner.
Fifthly, for the first time, the National Election Council held two national online conferences on election work while some localities also organised online meetings and campaigns with voters. This initiative could be applied in both pandemic and normal conditions.
Q: Before May 23, 16 provinces and cities nationwide with 500,000 voters conducted early voting, with a 99.96% turnout rate, with 14 out of 16 provinces and cities posting 100% turnout rates. In particular, in areas where the pandemic is happening like Bac Ninh, the turnout rate was still high. Can you tell us more about this?
A: As we all know the election took place smoothly on May 23. Previously, with the consent of the National Election Council, 16 provinces and cities completed early voting in a number of their localities. The total number of voters in early voting places was 510,174, of which 509,979 voters went to the polls, reaching an average rate of 99.96%. 14 out of 16 provinces and cities reported a 100% turnout rate.
This can be attributed to many reasons including the comprehensive leadership and direction of the Politburo and Party committees at all levels and the close coordination between the National Election Council, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, authorities at all levels, and the agencies in charge of election at localities.
Another important factor was that the Fatherland Front Committees at all levels and their member organisations promoted their role in mobilising and encouraging people to go voting well, while raising the political awareness and responsibility of citizens in building the State apparatus and administration at all levels.
A decisive factor was the active, enthusiastic and responsible participation of voters in the election, demonstrating the confidence of voters in the leadership of the Party and in the success of the election.
In particular, information and propaganda work had been carried out early, widely, and methodically with diverse and lively forms, suitable to each subject and each locality.
Other favourable conditions were traffic, communication, weather, and others, all contributing to the high turnout rate.
Thank you very much!
