(VOVworld)- The elections of deputies to the 14^th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 term were successful with voter turnout of 99.35% and a higher number of deputies holding BA or post-graduate certificates. The election results reflect voters’ aspirations and choices.

Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Secretary General of the National Assembly and Head of the Office of the National Electoral Council, says ensuring democracy and transparency are the most important results of the election.

Ensuring democracy, transparency

Democracy, transparency, and lawfulness were reflected in the nomination of deputies, the collection of public opinions, the organization of consultative meetings, and in the campaigns of the candidates. All candidates including those at the central level, self-nominated candidates, Party members and non-members need to campaign following a certain schedule and manner.

Under the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils, the elections need to be popular, equal, direct and private ballot. The National Electoral Council, for the first time, allows candidates, agencies and organization that nominate candidates, and certain authorized people like reporters to monitor the vote counting. This change makes the elections more democratic and transparent.

Respect for voters’ choices

21 non-Party members were elected to the 14^th National Assembly and People’s Councils in the 2016-2021 period. The result reflects how the voters exercised their rights. Mr. Nguyen Hanh Phuc says that to ensure democracy at the National Assembly, it’s important to ensure that all legislative activities including oversight and decision making are transparent. In this respect, the 13^th National Assembly did a very good job and the 14^th National Assembly will do even better.

Among the NA deputies elected, two were self-nominated. Article 27 of the 2013 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stipulates that “Every citizen who reaches the age of 18 has the right to vote and at twenty-one has the right to stand for election to the National Assembly or People's Councils”. Vietnam’s Law on Election creates the most favorable condition for citizens to exercise their rights to stand for election to the National Assembly or People’s Councils. To be included on the ballot, all candidates, regardless of their career, or position, or whether they were nominated or self-nominated, need to go through consultative rounds. In Vietnam, consultative meetings are hosted by the Vietnam Fatherland Front. At the meetings, voters, who refer to the criteria for deputies to the NA and People’s Council, will decide which candidates will be on the ballot.