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| Citizens check the voter list at Polling Station No. 13, Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province__Photo: Thuy Dung/VNA |
The upcoming election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) represents far more than a routine political transition, serving as a decisive milestone in the era of the nation’s rise. This tenure arrives with a unique mandate: to bridge the gap between rigorous traditional personnel procedures and a new digital frontier.
In response to inquiries from the Vietnam News Agency regarding the biggest changes of the 16th NA election compared to the previous ones, Nguyen Quang Huan, 15th NA deputy and member of the NA’s Science, Technology and Environment Committee, underscored three outstanding features of this election. He noted that the timing for election organization has been advanced to shorten the 15th NA tenure and ensure strategic harmony of personnel work with the performance of major tasks, especially in the institutionalisation of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
He further explained that procedures have been streamlined to increase efficiency while maintaining strict compliance across the three consultative rounds. The other feature was the accelerated digital transformation, with voter lists and candidate programs being moved to digital platforms to guarantee public access and transparency, Huan noted.
Addressing the impacts of the quality of the elected NA deputies on national development, Huan said that the country faced both great opportunities and significant challenges, ranging from climate change and energy security to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He explained that the next legislature tenure would be responsible for deciding on ”backbone” issues, such as socio-economic strategies, growth model innovation and national security.
Consequently, he emphasised that selecting NA deputies with courage, intellect and an innovative spirit was vital. He warned that a single wrong institutional decision could stall national development for years. Conversely, he noted that visionary deputies would create a clear legal corridor and unlock resources, which he described as the prerequisite for sustainable development.
Regarding Party General Secretary To Lam’s focus on personnel as the “key of all key issues,” answering the question how standards had been elevated to prioritize quality, Huan explained that the Party chief’s guidance now permeates the entire preparation process, ensuring that while quotas for female, young and non-Party deputies are maintained, quality remains the non-negotiable standard.
Drawing from his review of 217 candidate profiles, Huan, a member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, noted his impression of the candidates’ political mettle, professional expertise and sharp policy-critical thinking. He concluded by emphasizing that the 16th-tenure deputies must be individuals who “walk the talk,” prioritising substantive oversight and a deep connection with voters.
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| National Assembly deputy Nguyen Quang Huan highlights three outstanding features of the 16th NA election__Photo: VNA |
When asked about the role of technology in ensuring electoral transparency, Huan described the current digital transformation as a significant “leap forward” for the election process. He noted that Vietnam’s digital ecosystem has become far more developed since the 15th legislature, allowing for the comprehensive digitisation of candidate data.
He explained that this shift does not merely enhance data storage but enables voters to access information conveniently at any time. He also highlighted the benefits of publicising action programs and fostering digital interaction, thereby allowing voters to cross-check, compare, and even question candidates directly online, and effectively removing geographical barriers so as to ensure a transparent and multi-dimensional selection process.
Huan emphasized that despite rigorous processes and modern technology, the ultimate success of the election rests with the voters. He urged every citizen to cast their ballots with the highest sense of respect and responsibility.
He advised voters to focus on three key areas: proactively studying candidates’ substantive action programs rather than just titles, avoiding emotional or perfunctory voting which can diminish the legislature’s effectiveness, and maintaining post-election oversight to ensure deputies fulfil their campaign promises. When citizens are fully aware of their rights, the election becomes a true “festival of democracy,” making the 16th NA strong and worthy of public trust, Huan concluded.- (VLLF)
