Early voting on Song Tu Tay Island

At 6:30 a.m. on May 15, the national anthem resounded loudly during the solemn flag-raising ceremony in front of the sacred sovereignty marker on Song Tu Tay Island (Truong Sa island district, Khanh Hoa), opening the election day for the military and people living on the island commune.

Voter representatives check and seal ballot boxes.

This is one of 21 polling stations in the island block of Truong Sa district that simultaneously held elections for the 14th National Assembly and provincial, district, and communal People's Councils for the 2016-2021 term. The election took place a week earlier than on the mainland.

From 5am, all soldiers and people in full uniforms gathered at the election hall. Everyone held their voter cards in their hands, eagerly waiting for the moment to cast their ballots to choose representatives to represent the voice of the people in the National Assembly and the People's Councils of the province, district and commune for the next term.

Many people took the opportunity to carefully read and review the list of candidates posted. The sound of lively discussion and exchange echoed throughout the island.

Outside the wharf, some fishermen working at the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds and other forces working on the islands also followed their boats ashore to prepare to vote.

At exactly 7am, the official voting session began. Colonel Phan Tuan Hung - Deputy Chief of Staff, Command of Region 4, Navy - was the first to cast his ballot. Then, one by one, voters began to vote. The voting atmosphere was as bustling as on the mainland.

In the line of people coming to vote, soldier Le Thanh Long, from Song Tu Tay island, carefully read through the list of candidates before voting. Long eagerly stepped forward to cast his ballot.

Long shared that with the ballot, he hopes to elect representatives who represent the will of the people, and contribute their voices to many issues of economic and social development, especially the voice on issues of sea and islands. "Every concern and encouragement from the mainland like now will help us feel secure and confident in preserving the sovereignty of the Fatherland," Long said.

As for Ms. Nhu Thi Kim Chi, 26 years old, president of the Women's Union of Song Tu commune, the joy of election day was doubled because she was both a voter and a candidate for the People's Council of the commune.

Ms. Chi shared that if elected, she would also want to contribute her voice to build the women's movement in the commune. As a voter, she hopes that the representative will have a voice towards the further development of the sea and islands.

“Although there are still difficulties, the concerned voices of the delegates will help bring the mainland closer to the people living on remote islands…”, Ms. Chi shared.

From early morning, transient voters went to Song Tu Tay island to prepare to vote.

CV boat takes delegations working on Song Tu Tay island to vote on the island.

Flag-raising ceremony before election time on Song Tu Tay Island.

Crowds of voters waiting their turn to vote.

Commanders and soldiers vote.

Colonel Phan Tuan Hung - Deputy Chief of Staff, Command Region 4, Navy - was the first person to cast his vote on Song Tu Tay Island.

According to TTO