Renewing evaluation and classification in the political system

Many new points in evaluation and classification

Regulation No. 366-QĐ/TW replaces Regulation No. 124-QĐ/TW, dated October 4, 2023, issued by the Politburo on the review, evaluation, and classification of the quality of collectives and individuals within the political system.

Nguyen Quang Duong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Organization Commission, noted that: Regulation 366-QĐ/TW introduces many new measures, offering greater specificity, rigor, and comprehensiveness. The regulation helps address practical shortcomings and lays the groundwork for evaluations and classifications that are increasingly substantive, objective, and fair.

Specifically, the scope and timing of evaluations have been broadened. Evaluations are no longer limited on an annual schedule, as was previously the case, but are now also conducted by term, quarterly, or as necessary.

Regulation 366-QĐ/TW was issued to ensure consistent and coordinated review, evaluation, and classification of the quality of collectives and individuals within the political system. It emphasizes a spirit of self-criticism and constructive feedback, encouraging cadres to reflect on and correct their own actions, recognize strengths to build upon, and address weaknesses and shortcomings. The regulation also promotes the proactive identification and prevention decline, “self-evolution,” “self-transformation,” corruption, waste, and misconduct. Evaluation results provide a basis for appointments, planning, deployment, remuneration, commendation, screening, replacement, disciplinary measures, temporary suspension, dismissal, resignation, or removal of cadres whose political or ethical standards, conduct, compliance with Party and State regulations, or performance are found lacking. Overall, the regulation aims to foster a professional, responsible, dynamic, and innovative cadre that effectively serves the public and enterprises.

The evaluation criteria under Regulation 366-QĐ/TW are now more precisely quantified, using a 100-point scale instead of relying primarily on qualitative assessments as before. General criteria account for approximately 30 points, and task performance criteria make up the remaining 70 points. The general criteria include political integrity, ethics, and lifestyle; a spirit of innovation and dedication to serving; and the ability to conduct self-criticism, provide constructive feedback, and address shortcomings and weaknesses.

To be classified as having “excellent” performance, a score of 90 or above is required, along with additional conditions such as the completion of 100% of assigned tasks, with at least 30% exceeding standard requirements. The number of collectives and individuals rated as excellent must not exceed 20% of those classified as good (except in special cases of outstanding achievement).

Evaluations must be based on work effectiveness, task performance, and concrete outputs linked to responsibilities and job positions, combining both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Assessment must be continuous, consistent, and multidimensional.

During evaluations, self-assessment and consultation are required before the competent authority makes the final classification. Collective evaluations are conducted before individual ones; organizational and agency assessments are carried out before Party organization assessments; and lower-level bodies are assessed before higher-level ones.

Rapidly concretizing regulations into practice

Regulation 366-QĐ/TW specifies that the heads of organizations and leadership collectives are responsible for directing, guiding, and taking full accountability for the evaluation and classification of their lower-level bodies. If any complaints, denunciations, or reports of misconduct are received, or if disciplinary violations are identified, the higher-level Party committee must investigate and verify the matter before making the final classification.

According to comrade Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Commission, following the issuance of Regulation 366-QĐ/TW by the Politburo, the Provincial Party Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 523-CV/TU on September 24, 2025, to implement Regulation 366-QĐ/TW across all Party committees in the province.

The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee suggested members of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Party departments, the Provincial Party Committee Office, and Party committees under Provincial Party Committee to study and implement Regulation 366-QĐ/TW. At the same time, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Commission was tasked, in coordination with relevant units, with advising the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on concretizing Regulation 366-QĐ/TW issued by the Politburo to ensure proper implementation.

Comrade Thai Bao highlighted that: In the near future, evaluations and classifications of cadres will be based on tangible results. The assessments will no longer be conducted solely on an annual basis but will take place quarterly, enabling timely review and screening of cadres according to tangible results. Key performance indicators, “hard” targets that are not met – carry direct responsibility for leaders in directing and overseeing the implementation of tasks. These include, for instance, GRDP growth rate, public investment disbursement, per capita income, and a range of other indicators.

Substantive evaluations of cadres are expected to motivate Party members and cadres to leverage their intelligence, professionalism, sense of responsibility, dynamism, and creativity in serving the people and enterprises. This, in turn, contributes to the country’s development in the new period, consistent with the spirit of being “concise, streamlined, strong, high-performing, effective, efficient.”

It can be affirmed that Regulation No. 366-QĐ/TW reflects the Party’s strong political resolve to continue reforming and improving the effectiveness of evaluating and classifying collectives and individuals across the entire political system. This evaluation also acts as a driving force, motivating each cadre and Party member to continually refine their skills and cultivate their professional growth, thereby contributing to building a cleaner, stronger Party and political system capable of meeting the country’s development needs in the new period.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha