(VOVWORLD) - The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term has concluded with voter turnout reaching over 99% of more than 78 million voters. The most significant result was the success of a "digital election" model used for the first time in Vietnam, which leveraged the VNeID application and the national population database to totally transform the election process and make the people's right to mastery more transparent, convenient, and secure than ever before.
 The National Assembly election feature on VNeID (Photo: screenshot) |
Integrating Project 06’s population data into the election was part of Vietnam’s effort to build a digital government. Project 06 developed a population database and electronic identification and authentication system as part of national digital transformation between 2022 and 2025, with a vision to 2030.
The database, containing "correct, sufficient, clean, and live" records of 107 million citizens, was—for the first time—used instead of manual logbooks to compile voter lists.
Colonel Tran Hong Phu, Deputy Director of the Police Department of Social Order Administrative Management, said, "Using population data for electoral work was an important breakthrough, a shift from manual methods to the application of technology."
In the past, voters relied on physical notices at local headquarters. Today, smartphones equipped with the VNeID app serve as personal "data stations", said Mr. Phu.
"This is a 'pocket digital election portal' via smartphone. All voters with level-2 identification can look up all the election information – voter lists, polling places, and candidate information. The application has solved some long-standing problems of population mobility."
Issuing electronic voting certificates via VNeID to people working or studying away from their permanent residence has removed geographical barriers and ensured that civic rights can be exercised anytime, anywhere.
According to colonel Phu, "Voters can use VNeID to submit proposals and requests, and the relevant electoral agencies can issue electronic voting certificates to people wanting to vote in a different location. This is a great convenience for citizens who used to have to travel in person in order to obtain a paper voting certificate."
Applying technology in election demands the highest level of security. The system must defend around the clock against cyber threats and protect all personal data. Solutions such as encrypted displays that show just the first 3 and last 3 digits of personal IDs and use of the Ministry of Public Security's private internal network have built a solid digital fortress and fostered voter trust in the digital election model.
The success of the election was clear evidence of Vietnam's digital competence, said colonel Phu, adding, "This is the first time we’ve used population data and voter management software. Election officials were not yet fully acquainted with, or proficient in, those operations, so we had to conduct training sessions.”
“The voters themselves also found these new digital methods unfamiliar, so we implemented a communication campaign using mass media and grassroots teams to explain the innovations and make sure voters understood how to participate."
 Colonel Tran Hong Phu, Deputy Director of the Police Department of Social Order Administrative Management (Photo: Minh Hoan) |
The successful use of VNeID in the election affirms that people are the center of the national digital transformation process.
Colonel Phu said, "Population data being used for State management, administrative reform, and the reduction of paperwork affirms that Vietnam's population data and digital infrastructure are serving socio-economic development and the building of a digital government, digital society, and digital citizenry."
Using VNeID for this election saved time and effort, reduced the pressure on commune-level electoral units, and served as a critical test of Vietnam’s roadmap for building a digital government.