Reporter: How will the election campaign be conducted to persuade voters?

Mr Dam: National Assembly deputies represent the voice of people living in the whole country. Therefore, each candidate’s action plans must be closely connected to avoid being too general or too detailed.

The action plan must be based on the functions and tasks of the National Assembly and NA deputies. It must make clear how the candidate will do in case the NA has completed the legal system in line with Vietnam’s international commitments; how the candidate will fully reflect the entire people’s opinions and aspirations when making decisions on important national issues; and more importantly how the candidate will perform his supervisory role as a NA deputy. It is not enough to say simply “I will do this or that for my locality during the election campaign.

Reporter: What is the candidate’s responsibility for property declaration?

Mr Dam: There are no instructions on this. But according to the Anti-corruption law, officials must declare their own property. No instruction on property declaration by self-nominated candidates has been issued so far. The election council will give new instructions soon.

Reporter: Running for election and announcing action plans are new issues. What will instructions from the VFF?

Mr Dam: The election should comply with the law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly in 1997. This means that after standing for election to the NA, and being nominated in the election list, candidates must contact their local voters. By contacting local voters, they will have the chance to present their action plans and encourage their constituencies to vote for them. All nominated candidates must be fully qualified to become NA deputies.

Reporter: What about self-nominated candidates?

Mr Dam: Election boards have been set up in all provinces and cities since February 14. Self-nominated people will be instructed to get documents from these boards including application forms to fill in their name and background details.

Reporter: What will the VFF do to find worthy self-nominated people and create favourable conditions for them to enjoy equal rights like other nominated people?

Mr Dam: Many members of the VFF insisted on creating opportunities for self-nominated people in the recent First Consultancy round. Everybody has the right to stand for election. They can be mobilized but cannot be forced to do against their will. The VFF will create an equal opportunity for all candidates to contact voters and present their action plans.

Reporter: Thank you very much.