Voters in the mountainous areas of Nghe An province eagerly cast their ballots early.

Eager to vote early

On the morning of March 13th, in Moi village, Mon Son commune, Mr. Loc Van Phuong (82 years old) woke up early, dressed in his best clothes, and was driven by his children and grandchildren to the polling station at the village's cultural center. Mr. Phuong said that information about the election of National Assembly and People's Council representatives at all levels had been widely disseminated by the government and various organizations, and the people of Moi village were all "well-informed," just waiting for the day they could cast their ballots at the polling station to make their choice.

Ban Moi is one of the three early voting areas in Mon Son commune. Mr. Luong Dinh Viet, Secretary of the Mon Son Commune Party Committee, said that there are three early voting locations in the commune: polling station No. 6 (Ban Moi), No. 24 (Ban Co Phat), and No. 25 (Ban Khe Bung). A total of 1,200 voters participated in the early voting, including 583 voters in polling station No. 6 (Ban Moi), 323 voters in polling station No. 24 (Ban Co Phat), and 294 voters in polling station No. 25 (Ban Khe Bung).

Prior to voting, the election committees posted voter lists, candidate lists, voting regulations, and announcements regarding the date, time, and location of early voting at village cultural centers and community gathering points within the prescribed timeframe. Simultaneously, they organized regular broadcasts, increasing the broadcast time in the days leading up to the voting date, ensuring the content was clear, easy to understand, and appropriate for ethnic minority communities. They also coordinated with village heads, Party branch secretaries, and influential individuals to visit each household to inform and encourage early voting; explaining specifically the time, location, and procedures for early voting, ensuring no voter was left out.

Also on the morning of March 13th, early voting took place in Bac Ly and My Ly communes. In Bac Ly commune, there were four early voting locations in the villages of Cha Nga, Xam Thang, Keo Nam, and Na Kho. These villages are all located more than 10 km from the commune center, with difficult road access. To help voters participate in the election, the government and relevant authorities proactively developed support plans early on, especially for elderly and frail voters.

In Na Kho village, from the early morning, Mr. Moong Xa Vien Minh (born in 1946) was assisted by officers and soldiers from My Ly Border Guard Post who came to his house to help him move to the village cultural center to cast his vote. Voter Moong Xa Vien Minh is one of the oldest voters participating in the early election in Bac Ly commune.

Bringing supplementary ballot boxes directly to voters' homes.

Huoi Tu commune has the highest number of early voting areas in the province, with 13 areas. Mr. Denh Ba Long, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Huoi Tu commune, said that with such a large number of early voting areas, all preparations have been focused on and completed according to plan by the Party committees and authorities at all levels. This includes plans to support elderly and infirm voters, as well as voters from remote areas, ensuring their rights and obligations are protected.

During the early voting session on March 13th, in Huoi Tu commune, there was one case where the polling station brought the ballot box to the voter's home to collect the ballot. This was voter Lau Xo Chay, a war veteran. Mr. Xo Chay, born in 1931, lives in Nga Ba village, Huoi Tu commune. Mr. Xo Chay was very happy to be able to vote at home; he fulfilled his wish with the support of the authorities.

Huoi Tu commune has 13 villages with a population of 4,868 people, comprising many ethnic groups living together. From the beginning of the election preparation period, Huoi Tu commune proactively developed a plan, assigned specific tasks, and promoted the role and responsibility of the entire political system from the commune to the villages. At the same time, it focused on disseminating information and mobilizing the people, especially voters in villages far from the center, to understand their rights and obligations in participating in the election. The guiding principle was proactiveness, caution, adherence to the law, and practicality.

In a spirit of urgency, efficiency, and adherence to regulations, in the early voting areas of Tam Thai commune, seven elderly and infirm voters were assisted by polling stations that brought supplementary ballot boxes to their homes to collect their ballots, helping them fulfill their duty and exercise their right to vote for National Assembly and People's Council representatives. In Phong village, there were six such cases, all voters born between 1942 and 1959, including Vieng Thi Sam (born in 1942), Luong Thi Hoa (born in 1943), and Vieng Xuan Dieu (born in 1959)… all of whom are in poor health and have difficulty traveling.

In Huoi Son 1 village, supplementary ballot boxes were also brought directly to the voters, helping them fulfill their duty.

In Na Ngoi commune, there was also one case where a voter was sick and unable to go to the polling station. The election committee brought a supplementary ballot box to the home of Mr. Lo Kham Xon in Huoi Thum village so that he could cast his vote according to his wishes and regulations.

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In Nghe An province, according to the decision of the National Election Committee, 55 areas will hold early elections in the following communes: Huoi Tu commune (13 areas); Na Ngoi commune (9 areas); Muong Tip commune (7 areas); Chau Khe commune (5 areas); Tri Le commune (4 areas); Bac Ly commune (3 areas); My Ly commune (3 areas); Mon Son commune (3 areas); Tam Thai commune (3 areas); Keng Du commune (2 areas); Muong Quang commune (2 areas); Huu Khuong commune (1 area).

Here are some images from the early voting locations in Nghe An province on the morning of March 13th: