Committee discusses body of candidates for NA election
The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on February 16 organised its first meeting on the structure, composition and number of candidates to stand for the upcoming 14th National Assembly election.
From now till election day on May 22, there will be two more meetings to compile the final list of candidates standing for office.
According to Nguyen Thi Nuong, chief of the NA Committee of Deputies' Affairs, in the 14th NA, there will be 198 deputies allocated for the Central Government, accounting for 39.8% of the total – an increase of 15 deputies compared with the 13th NA.
Speaking at the meeting, Nguyen Thien Nhan, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, said the upcoming elections for the National Assembly and People's Councils at provincial, district and commune/ward levels were events of great significance for the country in 2016.
"The Vietnam Fatherland has the right and responsibility to ensure the elections will be conducted with democracy, fairness and lawful compliance," Nhan said.
Business sector seats
Meanwhile, delegates attending the first preparatory conference for the upcoming HCM City People's Council elections on February 16 called for increasing the number of seats reserved for the private business sector.
At the conference organised by the HCM City Fatherland Front Central Committee, Huynh Van Minh, chairman of the HCM City Union of Business Association, and others said private businesses contribute much to the city's socio- economic development and create jobs.
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The country's biggest city is expected to become an economic hub of Southeast Asia, and with Vietnam's deep economic integration, the business sector would play a key role in economic and human resources development, they pointed out.
Their recommendation was accepted with the meeting agreeing to add more seats in the People's Council for the private sector in 2016 –21.
While the conference did not finalise the number of candidates who will run for the elections in May, it was decided there should be at least 200.
On a suggestion by the chairwoman of the HCM City People's Council, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, the conference also agreed to increase the number of candidates in various categories – women, those who are under 35 years, non-Communist Party members, and self-nominated.
