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| An ethnic minority deputy speaks during a National Assembly session__Photo: VNA |
Criteria required for deputies to the National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils are strictly prescribed by law, together with principles for allocating the number of deputies by electoral units. These regulations ensure representativeness, reasonable structure, and task performance facilitation for deputies.
Criteria for National Assembly deputies
Under the 2014 Law on Organisation of the National Assembly, NA deputies must meet a number of criteria.
First, they must be loyal to the Fatherland, the People and the Constitution, striving for the goal of a prosperous people and a strong, democratic, equitable and civilised country. Second, they must possess only one nationality, which is Vietnamese nationality. In addition, they must possess good moral qualities, be diligent, thrifty, incorruptible, impartial and selfless, exemplary in the observance of law, and resolute in combating corruption, waste, bureaucracy and violations of law.
They are also required to have the educational level, professional qualifications, competence, health, work experience and prestige necessary to perform the duties of a NA deputy. They should also maintain close contact with the People, listen to voters’ opinions and gain the People’s trust.
Besides, a NA deputy must have sufficient conditions to participate in the NA’s activities.
The law further stipulates that the total number of NA deputies must not exceed 500, of which full-time deputies must account for at least 40 per cent.
Each province or centrally run city constitutes one or more than one electoral unit. According to Resolution 85/NQ-HDBCQG of 2025 of the National Election Council, the total number of electoral units for the 16th NA is 182.
Notably, each electoral unit may elect no more than three NA deputies. The allocation of deputies for each locality is decided by the National Assembly Standing Committee based on population size, regional characteristics, and the need to ensure a reasonable structure and representativeness. Gender, ethnicity, occupation and social strata are also taken into account.
Criteria for People’s Council deputies
Like NA deputies, People’s Council deputies must satisfy a number of criteria.
Under Article 5.3 of the 2025 Law on Organisation of Local Administration, People’s Council deputies must also be loyal to the Fatherland, the People and the Constitution, striving for the success of the renewal cause and the goal of a prosperous people and a strong, democratic, just and civilised country. They must also possess Vietnamese nationality as the sole nationality.
They are required to have good ethical qualities, showing the sense of diligence, thrift, honesty, uprightness and impartiality. Deputies must be exemplary in observing law and courageous in combating corruption, negative practices, waste, bureaucracy, authoritarianism and law violations.
They must also meet other criteria concerning the educational level and professional qualifications, as well as capacity, health, work experience and reputation to perform the tasks of a deputy. They must be able to participate in People’s Council activities; and reside or work in an agency, organisation, unit or enterprise located in the administrative unit where they are expected to serve as deputies.
People’s Council deputies must maintain close contact with the People, listen to public opinions and earn the People’s trust.
Regarding the number of deputies to be elected in each administrative unit, Article 30 of the Law on Organisation of Local Government states that the number of People’s Council deputies is determined according to population size.
Specifically, provinces with up to 1,000,000 people may elect 50 deputies. For every additional 70,000 people, one more deputy is additionally elected, but the total number of deputies must not exceed 85.
Cities with up to 1,200,000 people may elect 50 deputies. When the population exceeds this threshold, one additional deputy is elected for every additional 75,000 people, with a maximum number of 85 deputies.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City each may elect 125 deputies.
In communes, wards and special zones, the number of deputies is also determined based on population size, but the total number must not exceed 30.
Structure and ratios of People’s Council deputies
Under the National Assembly Standing Committee’s Resolution 107/2025/UBTVQH15 of 2025, the structure of People’s Council deputies must ensure an appropriate proportion of ethnic minority candidates in the official candidate list, in line with the structure of ethnic groups and specific conditions of each locality.
Women candidates must account for at least 35 per cent of the official candidate list. In addition, non-Party members should make up at least 10 per cent of candidates.
Meanwhile, at least 15 per cent of candidates in the official list should be under 40 years of age. At the same time, it is expected that no less than 30 per cent of deputies at each level will be re-elected from the 2021-26 term.- (VLLF)
