General Election – people’s festival

The election is the largest ever in scale with over 69 million voters across the country casting their votes to pick up the most competent candidates, who will represent them at a 500-seat National Assembly, as well as People’s Councils at all levels nationwide.

Up to 63,312,495 voters, or 95.84 percent, went to the polls by 5 pm, as updated by the National Election Council’s Office. 

Statistics from the office showed that most of the localities nationwide saw the voting rate of over 90%. 

The central province of Thua Thien Hue topped the list with 99.93%, followed by Ha Giang with 99.88%, Hoa Binh 99.75%, and Lai Chau 99.7%, all in the northern region. 

According to the office, 32,115 of the 91,476 constituencies nationwide saw the voting rate hitting 100%. 

This is the first time the votes will be counted publicly, said Nguyen Hanh Phuc, NA Secretary General and Chief of the National Election Council’s Office.

Taking place following the successful 12th National Party Congress, the election generated a firm belief in society that the country’s national construction and defence policy was soundly established.

As guided by the 2013 Constitution and the 2015 Election Law, this year’s general election worked to ensure the National Assembly represents the national great unity, democracy expansion is achieved and people exercise their right as masters of the country. And, it was evidenced by the number of candidates representing all walks of life, ethnic groups, religions, and ages, and a rise in self-nominations. 

Through their ballots, voters displayed their sense of responsibility and their basic rights and obligations as prescribed in the 2013 Constitution. 

Many voters in mountainous, island, and disaster-hit areas went to the polls from an early time. In Bac Me district of northern mountainous Ha Giang province, 94.36% of voters cast their votes as of 9am, while all voters in Lin hamlet, Trung Ly commune, Muong Lat border district of central Thanh Hoa province went to the polls as of 7:50am. 

Localities which are still struggling against severe droughts and saline intrusion also reported high voting rates, like southern Hau Giang with 84.12%, Central Highlands Dak Lak province with 80%, and southern Soc Trang with 78.98% as recorded at 11am. 

For those who are in inconvenient circumstances like patients at hospitals, the ballot boxes were brought to their beds. 

This is the first time people who are in temporary detention or undergo compulsory drug detoxification can cast their votes.

In any election, the number of voters is a hallmark as it measures people’s interest in the State and how it is capable to actualise their aspirations. 

The election on May 22, 2016 proved that voters across the countries, regardless of their social backgrounds and religions, exercised their citizen right and accomplished their duty to the country. 

It can be said the election to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure is a success. 

Looking forward, voters can hope that “those who are elected to the National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils will do their utmost serving the country and people and will soundly perform their responsibilities as prescribed by the Constitution and law,” as said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.