This suggestion was made during a policy dialogue on the participation of women and youth in the electoral process in Vietnam, held in Hanoi on December 28 by the Gender and Community Development Network (GENCOMNET), the Gender-based Violence Prevention Network (GBVNet) and Land Alliance (LANDA).
The open forum offered chances for stakeholders to share practical experiences and recommendations to develop a comprehensive electoral process that ensures free and equal participation - without discrimination - to all voters.
The elections of deputies to the 14th National Assembly (NA) and People's Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 tenure ended six months ago. Reporting to the 14th NA, the National Electoral Council pointed out both achievements and constraints in organising the elections, while expressing determination to acquire petitions to continue to perfect elections of the next term.
Surveys after the elections showed that the 2015 Election Law and documents guiding the implementation of the law have specified the right to vote and stand for election by citizens, as well as the obligations of providing information to voters on the election by relevant agencies.
However, according to younger voters, there should be regulations on general liability by the State in creating the favourable conditions for voters to access information about the election, while improving communication and training for officials responsible for election organisation to provide transparent information related to the election.
In addition, according to Vu Dang Minh, head of the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Home Affairs, young voters represented a large force in electoral participation, , but their awareness on the right to vote was still immature, partly because of their low skills in exercising their rights and political obligations.
Therefore, he suggested enhancing training for youth and young voters with the ability to engage in meetings with voters to debate and to elect eligible candidates, as well as exercising their rights in voting.
Pham Ngoc Tien, head of Gender Equality Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said that, it was essential to attach importance to training and organising exchanges for candidates who had participated in meetings and debates with voters to share their experience with new candidates to the election.
Ngo Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Centre for Education Promotion and Empowerment of Women (CEPEW) recommended specifying principles on gender equality and anti-discrimination during election processes. She also proposed the inclusion of principles on democratic and fair election in the general education programmes.
To provide opportunities for female candidates, the Vietnam Women's Union also proposed effective implementation of preparations for female officers with adequate training to meet requirements of a candidate for election.
However, according to Pham Thu Huong, deputy head of the Democracy and Law Department under the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, a female candidate in addition to meeting general conditions would have to exert more effort. Relevant agencies and organisations should create more conditions to facilitate female candidates during the nomination and election processes.
In addition, concerned authorities should help voters avoid gender bias during the selection of candidates to elect to the NA and key bodies.
