Speaking to VOV, Venerable Thich An Dat, member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, emphasised that monks and Buddhist followers, whether living in Vietnam or abroad, are Vietnamese citizens and are therefore fully aware of their rights and responsibilities towards the country. Among these responsibilities, the right to vote and stand as candidates for the National Assembly of Vietnam and the People's Council is an important expression of civic duty.

According to the senior Buddhist monk, this election cycle has seen active and proactive participation by Buddhist monks and followers in many localities across the country. In addition to casting their votes, many pagodas and Buddhist institutions have shared information about candidates and local election activities, bringing official sources of information closer to the public.

Public communication on the elections has been carried out through various channels, including briefing conferences organised by election committees at different levels, the distribution of information materials, and coverage through traditional media and the internet. Social media has also become a fast and effective platform for spreading election-related information, enabling monks and Buddhist followers to access details about candidates, legal regulations and voting procedures more conveniently.

At the same time, several candidates who are Buddhist monks or followers have actively taken part in voter meetings and campaign activities. Information from these events has been widely shared, contributing to greater public understanding of the political and social significance of the elections and encouraging citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

In the context of today’s complex information environment, Venerable Thich An Dat reminded that close coordination between government agencies and religious communities plays an important role in providing timely and accurate information while limiting the spread of misinformation or distorted narratives related to the elections. Maintaining communication between authorities, election committees, the Fatherland Front and Buddhist institutions also helps authorities better understand the concerns and aspirations of citizens.

He added that in recent years the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has worked closely with state agencies to organise communication activities aimed at enhancing awareness among monks and followers about their rights and responsibilities. With clearer awareness, individuals are more likely to view the electoral process objectively and avoid being influenced by inaccurate information.

For remote and mountainous areas where access to information may remain limited, Venerable Thich An Dat suggested that direct and practical forms of outreach should be strengthened. Meeting local residents in person and preparing informational materials in ethnic minority languages would enable communities to better understand the importance of the elections and participate more effectively.

He also praised the coordination between local branches of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, government authorities, the Fatherland Front and relevant agencies in preparing for the elections. Thanks to this cooperation, election-related information has been delivered to communities in a timely, transparent and accessible manner.

Highlighting the significance of election day (March 15), Venerable Thich An Dat described it as a nationwide civic event where citizens demonstrate their responsibility towards the country’s development. He encouraged voters to actively learn about their rights and responsibilities and carefully review information about candidates in order to choose capable representatives.

He also expressed hope that elected deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils would fulfil their roles as representatives of the people, striving to meet public expectations and contributing to Vietnam’s development in the coming period.

Through the active participation of Buddhist monks and followers, together with the cooperation of government agencies and social organisations, the upcoming elections are expected to be conducted in a democratic, safe and lawful manner, reinforcing national unity and civic engagement across the country, he said.

Early elections held on 20 islands in Truong Sa special administrative zone

VOV.VN - Early elections for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and local People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term were held on 20 out of the 21 islands in the Truong Sa (Spratly) special administrative zone of Khanh Hoa province on March 8.