Selecting prestigious and capable candidates for the NA and People's Councils is a must: officials

Hanoi (VNA) - The National Assembly (NA) is increasing innovation, improving operational efficiency and raising the quality and professionalism of the delegates, deputies to the National Assembly have agreed.

Hoang Van Cuong, member of the National Assembly Delegation from Hanoi and the NA Finance-Budget Committee and Vice Rector of National Economics University, said the consultation work to select NA candidates is crucial and it is necessary to select delegates who are capable and qualified enough.

“The responsibilities of National Assembly deputies are to not only listen to the voice of voters but also know how to convey their opinions to contribute to important issues of the country; and to hold law enforcement agencies accountable," Cuong said.

"The selection of deputies who are qualified and knowledgeable in professional fields is essential. They must be people who dare to speak, dare to act and be honest, upright, willing to contribute to the common good.”

In addition to information from candidate profiles sent to the agency participating in the negotiation, Cuong said that candidates' action plans are an important channel for voters to learn about their abilities and position which is crucial when choosing candidates to fulfill their promises to the voters.

Fulltime deputies

Supporting the increase of full-time deputies from 35 percent to 40 percent, Tran Van Lam, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the National Assembly of Bac Giang province and Member of the NA Finance-Budget Committee, said this is a reasonable direction, suitable for the current conditions.

Tran Van Lam, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the National Assembly of Bac Giang province and Member of the NA Finance-Budget Committee (Photo: VietnamPlus)

He added that the increase will promote the National Assembly's role, especially in the work of supervision and ensure transparency.

With the position as the highest representative body of the people and the highest state power agency of the country, the requirements for the National Assembly in the future carry a lot of responsibility, requiring the National Assembly to continue promoting the spirit of innovation, creativity and action for the benefit of the people and the nation, Lam said.

Deputy Hoang Van Cuong said when the full-time deputies spend all their time on issues at the National Assembly, they will be able to contact voters and experts in different fields as well as collecting and listening to many opinions when contributing to the law.

When the full-time deputies spend all their time on issues at the National Assembly, they will be able to contact voters and experts in different fields as well as collecting and listening to many opinions when contributing to the law, according to Cuong. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

But at the same time, full-time deputies will work completely independently from law enforcement agencies, therefore can question the operation of these agencies independently.

“These deputies will be more objective and have an independent perspective and position,  without any constraints from the management and executive agencies. This will allow them to give their opinions and questions directly, more frankly and more directly,” Cuong stressed.

Voters nationwide will choose 500 out of 868 candidates for the 15th National Assembly on May 23.

In accordance with the Law on the Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils, the National Election Council (NEC) announced the official list of candidates during a press conference on April 27.

Throughout a five-step process with three rounds of close, democratic, cautious, and non-discriminatory consultations, the list of candidates for deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure has been finalised.

Following the second consultation held by the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, the NA Standing Committee on March 28 issued a resolution on a second revision of the structure, components, and number of nominees for seats in the 15th legislature.

Of the candidates, who will be elected in 184 constituencies nationwide, 203 are nominated by central agencies and the remainders are introduced by localities. Nine of them are self-nominated candidates.

Female candidates account for 393 (45.28 percent) of the total, while ethnic minority people are 185 (12.31 percent). The number of candidates who are non-Party members is 74 (8.53 percent).

Speaking at a press conference to announce the list of candidates, Bui Van Cuong, NA Secretary General, Chairman of the NA Office and Chief of the  NEC Office, said of the total, 205 candidates are deputies to the 14th legislature, and 224 candidates are under 40 years old. The oldest candidate is 77 years old and the youngest, 24.

Notably, agencies under the NA and the NA Standing Committee and the NA Office have the largest number of candidates, 129; while the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organisations have 28 candidates; the Government and its agencies, 15; armed forces, 12; and Party agencies, 11.

According to Resolution No 1185/NQ-UBTVQH14, each centrally-run city and province must have at least six deputies, of whom at least three deputies live and work there.

During the lobbying campaign, candidates will attend conferences with voters held by the standing boards of provincial, district, and communal VFF committees.

They were advised to map out and present their own action plans during the campaign./.