VFF stresses introduction of eligible candidates for general election

Hanoi (VNA) – Candidates to the 14th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for 2016-2021 must be eligible in line with the law, regardless of their backgrounds, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) Nguyen Van Pha told the press.

Accordingly, citizens above 21 years old can run for the election if they fulfill all standards stipulated in the Election Law, the official said, adding that competent agencies and organisations, especially the National Election Council (NEC) and all-level Fatherland Fronts, will be in charge of assessing the candidates.

The Law on Election of Deputies to the NA and People’s Councils prescribes that the anticipated personnel structure will be announced on the basis of the consensus reached by the NA’s Standing Committee, the VFFCC’s Standing Board and leaders of centrally-run political and social organisations.

The VFFCC Standing Board will introduce a total of 21 candidates, including six religious people, Pha said.

There will be three consultative conferences on the introduction of candidates. The first will focus on the structure, components and number of candidates introduced by agencies, organisations and units.

The second is chaired by the VFFCC’s Presidium with the participation of representatives from the NEC and the NA’s Standing Committee. A preliminary list of candidates will be drawn up at this conference.

According to Pha, the list will be sent to the candidates’ residences to collect feedback from local voters.

The third consultative conference will work on a list of eligible candidates which will be presented to the NEC to be made official.

The VFFCC has rolled out a plan on supervision over the election to swiftly address difficulties hindering the work at localities as well as violations of election-related laws.

Inspection teams led by the VFFCC’s Vice Presidents will be established to monitor the organisation of the election at localities over three periods with the first one from March 20-April 11, the second from April 12-26 and the third from April 28-May 22.

The supervisors will scan the performance of local organisations in charge of the election, candidate introduction, the collection of feedback from local voters, lists of voters and candidates, ballot casting and counting, among other duties.-VNA