Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra: The election of the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels was a complete success.

Election of delegatesThe 15th National Assembly and People's Council delegates at all levelsThe 2021-2026 term took place democratically, in accordance with regulations and laws, and was a complete success, truly becoming a festival for all people.

This is the assessment of Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra - Member of the National Election Council in a quick exchange with reporters at the end of May 23.

-Could the Minister please give a preliminary assessment of the election results that the Ministry of Interior has grasped up to this point?

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra: Firstly, it can be said that this was a completely successful election, ensuring democracy, equality, safety, compliance with regulations and laws. The atmosphere of Election Day was truly a great festival for all people. As of 7:00 p.m., the rate of voters nationwide going to the polls reached 99.16%, which is concrete proof of these things.

It can be said that, in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, localities and units have made efforts to propagate and mobilize voters to participate in the election, ensuring the correct time as prescribed.

Many localities such as Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Dak Nong, Binh Dinh, An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre... had voter turnout rates reaching over 99%. Mountainous provinces such as Lang Son and Lao Cai had up to 99.98% of voters going to the polls.

The National Election Council, the Government, the Prime Minister, relevant ministries, branches, functional agencies such as the Office of the National Election Council, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the entire political system from the central to local levels have all focused their efforts on leading, directing and organizing the implementation of the election. In particular, the implementation of the election by localities, units and Election Teams is very specific, detailed and active.

In addition, there was the positive response, consensus, unity and solidarity of the people. Voters across the country were very excited to hold their ballots in their hands to participate in the election.

Another thing I want to emphasize is the issue of security and order, the election was very safe, there were no hot spots, no large gatherings causing disorder. The local police and military forces coordinated closely, promoted professional measures, regularly inspected and monitored, ensuring absolute security and safety for election day. All conditions for the election were guaranteed. The election area was beautifully decorated, creating an atmosphere for the National Festival.

On election day, localities organized well the work of regulating voter flow according to the time, implementing the 5K principle, ensuring the safety of voters in the complicated situation of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Polling stations are fully equipped with thermometers, spare masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant. Election Committee members instruct voters to wear masks and disinfect before entering the polling station and disinfect after voting.

In some places, there were cases of voters showing symptoms of cough and fever, members of the Election Team guided voters to go separately so that they could cast their ballots in the reserve ballot boxes according to regulations. For voting in concentrated quarantine areas, hospitals, and medical facilities treating COVID-19 patients, the Election Team organized for voters who were being treated and quarantined to ensure compliance with the instructions of the National Election Council, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the province.

For areas where voters are quarantined at home, the Election Team has implemented epidemic prevention and control measures according to regulations so that voters can exercise their right to vote safely and in accordance with the law.

PV:In areas where the COVID-19 epidemic is occurring but the voter turnout rate is still quite high, what do you think this rate says?

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra: In my opinion, the most important thing is the people's trust and confidence in the regime, in the Party and the State, in building a socialist rule-of-law state, of the people, by the people and for the people. Through the election, we can understand the people's hearts. In such difficult times, with the epidemic, many people are in quarantine, lying in hospital beds being treated for COVID-19, but they are still ready to participate in the election with their hearts, with their will and national spirit.

Reporter: On election day, the Ministry of Home Affairs organized a delegation to inspect the election work in Bac Ninh, one of the localities with the most complicated COVID-19 epidemic at present. Could the Minister provide some information about the election work here?

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra:On the morning of May 23, the working group of the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Deputy Minister Tran Anh Tuan inspected 4 polling stations (where there is an epidemic) in Tien Du district and Tu Son town (Bac Ninh). The inspection showed a bustling election day atmosphere, with banners and slogans decorating the main roads to the polling stations.

Voting here is conducted according to time zones, voters are divided into groups according to residential areas. Voters are medically checked (body temperature measured, hand sanitizer sprayed) before entering the polling station. All polling stations have isolation rooms, if voters are found to have symptoms of infection, they will be isolated immediately. For F2 cases isolated at home, the Election Team will bring a sub-ballot box to the voters' home for them to vote.

Members of the Election Team serving the election are fully equipped with epidemic prevention and control equipment (anti-droplet masks, gloves, masks...).

A situation arose in Bac Ninh where 38 new voters were brought into the quarantine area at 2:00 p.m. on May 22, while these locations had already organized early elections in the province, according to regulations, they could not be added to the voter list. To ensure the voters' right to vote, on the morning of May 23, 26 Election Teams of these 38 cases had to bring additional ballot boxes into the quarantine area for voters to vote.

That shows that local election organizations pay great attention and care to creating the most favorable conditions for people to exercise their rights and obligations as citizens, and to promote democracy to the maximum.

On the voters' side, despite the special and extremely difficult context, they still exercise their rights and obligations as citizens very well, for the country and for the nation.

Reporter: The National Election Council has approved early voting in 16 provinces and cities nationwide. What is the Minister's view on the election results of the areas, regions, and quarantine areas that must hold early elections?

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra:Although in an extremely difficult context, many areas had to conduct early elections due to remote terrain, islands or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in general, localities and Election Teams all tried to seriously and strictly implement the law on election work.

The ultimate goal is to create the most favorable conditions for voters to exercise their citizenship rights and promote maximum democracy by participating in this election.

Therefore, the voter turnout rate in these localities in particular and the whole country in general is very high, typically Bac Giang has 98.20% of voters going to the polls, or Bac Ninh 97.55%, Dien Bien 99.61%, Khanh Hoa 99.29%...

PV:How are arising situations and recommendations handled through the Ministry's hotline, Minister?

Minister Pham Thi Thanh TraOn election day, the Ministry of Home Affairs' hotline received a number of information and recommendations from voters and election teams related to the exercise of voters' voting rights, incorrect printing of candidates' last names or middle names... The Ministry of Home Affairs coordinated with the Office of the National Election Council and local Election Committees to promptly resolve the matter.

PV:Thank you very much, Minister!./.