Vietnam’s ongoing election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure has caught interests of foreign news agencies.

Cuba's news agency Prensa Latina highlighted Vietnamese voters’ enthusiasm when they went to the polls on May 22 morning, and the country’s thorough preparations for the event.

Vietnamese Party and State leaders were the first voters performing their citizen right on the day, it noted.

 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong ​cast his ballot at the polling station No. 3 in Nguyen Du ward, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi.

Meanwhile, the UK-based news agency Reuters also reported that some 69 million Vietnamese were registered to vote to choose representatives for a 500-seat National Assembly.

It quoted Nguyen Hanh Phuc, NA Secretary General and Chief of the National Election Council’s Office, saying that all 870 candidates, including those who are not Party members and had nominated themselves to run as independents, are treated equally.

Vietnamese citizens’ self-nomination reflects increasing concern of Vietnamese people over the nation’s political life, Reuters said.Many other big press outlets of the US, Australia, China, Thailand, like AP, ABC News, Xinhua, and the Nation, also ran articles highlighting Vietnam’s important political event.
Voting started from 7am of May 22 at all the 91,476 polling stations across Vietnam. Up to 69 million voters cast ballots to elect deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure.

The election is due to last till 7pm the same day.

The new NA will comprise 500 deputies. Provincial People’s Councils across Vietnam will have 3,918 deputies. Meanwhile, 24,993 and 294,055 candidates will be elected as council members at the district and communal levels, respectively.

International press highlight Vietnam’s general election

Major news agencies around the world on May 22 covered the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils at all levels for 2016-2021, saying this important political event reflects Vietnam’s democracy.

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, over 69.265 million Vietnamese voters nationwide are casting their votes to elect deputies to the 14 th National Assembly and members of all-level People's Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure.

It said the election started at 7 a.m (local time) at 91,476 constituencies across the country on May 22. As many as 500 deputies will be elected to the 14th NA of Vietnam out of 870 candidates.

Among the figure, 339 candidates are female, accounting for 38.97 percent while 204 candidates are from ethnic minorities, making up 23.45 percent, according to the list of candidates released by the National Election Council (NEC) in late April.

Meanwhile, the UK-based news agency Reuters also reported that some 69 million Vietnamese are registered to vote to choose representatives for a 500-seat National Assembly.

It quoted Nguyen Hanh Phuc, NA Secretary General and Chief of the National Election Council’s Office, as saying that all 870 candidates would be treated equally, including those who are not Party members and had nominated themselves to run as independents.

He affirmed that all Vietnamese people have right and responsibility to vote and build the country, said Phuc.

The Voice of America (VOA) and France’s AFP news agency also highlighted Vietnam’s general election as a big festival of the Vietnamese people from all walks of life.

VNA