Preparing conditions to successfully organize the elections of deputies to National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils

(DN) With just over three months to go before voters choose deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–31 term, Party Committees, agencies and units from provincial to communal levels are moving quickly to put all preparations in place for the upcoming elections in accordance with legally prescribed timelines.

An Loc Ward holds its first Consultation Conference to reach agreement on structure, composition and numbers of candidates for the Ward People’s Council in the 2026-2031 term. Photo: Collaborator

Clear direction from the Party Committees

Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee’s Organization Commission Bui Thi Yen said: To successfully lead the elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, the Party Committee issued Plan No. 28-KH/TU dated September 10, 2025 on leading the upcoming elections, along with Guideline No. 01-HD/TU dated October 16, 2025 detailing personnel work for both the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term.

One of the crucial main points outlined in the Plan No. 28-KH/TU is that the election should serve as a chance to continue strengthening, consolidating, and enhancing the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of local governments at all levels in the new term, contributing to the successful fulfillment of socio-economic tasks and maintaining political stability, public order, and social safety in the locality.

In addition, the nomination process must be based on linking the personnel outcomes of recent all-level Party congresses and personnel planning to ensure that those put forward are candidates with solid political proficiency and a credible track record. The candidates must meet the required standards and have the capability and conditions to perform the duties of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies.

The guidance also makes clear who should not be included on candidate lists. Individuals showing signs of political opportunism, power-seeking behaviour, factionalism or localism are to be excluded, as are those under inspection for potential violations or already found by competent authorities to have acted dishonestly. Heads of agencies or units associated with serious cases of corruption, wastefulness, misconduct or internal disunity are also barred from nomination.

The direction outlines the need to elect the full quota of deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, with a stronger focus on the overall quality of the elected bodies. This includes maintaining balanced representation from Party and State institutions, the security and defense forces, and the Fatherland Front; increasing the number of full-time deputies; and meeting legal quotas for female and ethnic-minority candidates. A diverse mix is also encouraged, from religious representatives and young professionals to scientists, artists, workers, farmers, and business leaders.

Guideline No. 01-HD/TU specifies that, in line with the Law on Local Government Organization, the provincial People’s Council may designate up to two full-time deputies, and each of its committees should include three to four full-time deputies, including one permanent member for each committee. At commune level, the council’s leadership structure includes one vice chair and two deputy committee heads.

Guideline No. 01-HD/TU provides clear orientations regarding the structure of People’s Council deputies at all levels. Ethnic-minority representation should match each locality’s population structure; women must account for at least 35% of official candidates, with an expected successful candidates of around 30%. Non-Party candidates should make up no less than 10%, younger candidates (under 40) at least 15%, and re-elected deputies at least 30% at each level.

The deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term must ensure compliance with the requirements prescribed in the Law on Organization of the National Assembly and the Law on Organization of Local Government. In addition to general standards, priority will be given to leading experts in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, high-tech industries; reputable lawyers with a deep understanding of international law; and outstanding entrepreneurs who are passionate about the revolutionary cause of the Party and the people.

Recently, during the provincial conferences on election implementation, Comrade Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council, repeatedly emphasized: There is not much time left from now until the election day on March 15, 2026. Therefore, each agency, unit, and locality must proactively carry out tasks, monitor progress, and ensure strict compliance with legal regulations so that the election day truly becomes a great festival for all people.

Steps to be taken in compliance with the law

Ha Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, the Standing Agency of the Provincial Election Committee informed that in order for the election procedures to be conducted in accordance with the law, the Provincial Election Committee issued Plan No. 03/KH-UBBC dated December 4, 2025 on organizing the elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term in Dong Nai Province.

Specifically, the province along with communes and wards have already established election committees. In the coming period, they will continue to establish election committees for deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils (scheduled to be completed by January 4, 2026, at the latest); establish election teams and election units; and organize consultation conferences.

Based on documents of the Central and the provincial Governments, communes and wards are urgently carrying out election-related tasks in a methodical, synchronous, and timely manner.

On December 2, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Xuan Loc Commune held the first consultation conference to agree on the structure, composition, and number of candidates nominated for election as the commune People’s Council deputies for the 2026–2031 term. Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of An Loc Ward, Dieu Hai, said the expected number of elected ward People’s Council deputies is 22, while the number of nominated candidates is 43. The conference focused on discussing criteria and conditions for candidates, as well as ratios among different components such as: the proportion of female deputies, re-elected deputies, young deputies (under 40 years old), non-Party members, and ethnic minority deputies.

Comrade Dang Minh Nguyet, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Party Secretary and Chairwoman of the People’s Council, and Chairwoman of the Election Committee of Long Khanh Ward, said the Ward Party Standing Committee has directed the development of a specific, closely coordinated plan that is implemented seriously, step by step. They particularly emphasize consultation work, preparation of voter lists, and understanding the people’s situation to promptly resolve any arising issues. These efforts aim to ensure a democratic, lawful, safe, economical election that is truly a festival of the people.

By Phuong Hang, translated by Thien Kim, Thu Ha