Over 70 percent of voters go to the polls by 11am

Hanoi (VNA) – More than 70 percent of voters nationwide cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure as of 11am of May 22 – the national election day.

The information was released by Nguyen Hanh Phuc, NA Secretary General and Chief of the National Election Council (NEC)’s Office.

Statistics from the NEC showed that in the morning, several localities recorded the voting rate of over 90 percent, including Quang Nam (92.6 percent), Yen Bai (91.75 percent), Quang Tri, Kon Tum and Son La.

The capital city of Hanoi saw 71.58 percent of its voters going to the polls, with 83 constituencies reporting the rate of 100 percent.

However, as of 11am, some provinces still had the voting rate of under 50 percent, like Binh Duong with 44.76 percent.

According to Phuc, during this election, many localities had provided the lists of candidates to each household to help the locals study and pick up the competent candidates.

For the first time, the votes will be counted publicly, he said, adding that the candidates, their mandated persons and offices, and the press can witness the opening of ballot boxes and the count of the votes.

People who are in temporary detention or undergo compulsory drug detoxification have the right to cast their ballots, he added.

Hospitals nationwide have also allocated mobile ballot boxes to each sickbed to help patients exercise their citizen right.-VNA