List of candidates: Avoid creating the feeling of "blue army"

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan suggested integrating gender equality into the principles of making candidate lists.

Discussing the draft Law on the election of deputies to the National Assembly and People's Councils on the afternoon of September 23, many opinions in the National Assembly Standing Committee suggested that the Drafting Committee further study the regulations of the National Election Council, the principles of making candidate lists, and election campaigns, in which attention should be paid to the factor of gender equality.

Politburo member, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and female National Assembly deputies. Photo: VNN

Should there be regulations on gender ratio in elections?

Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs Truong Thi Mai suggested that this should be paid attention to, otherwise some people will be at a disadvantage, and not let people enter the election thinking they are "the green team".

Citing data showing a gradual decrease in the proportion of women in the last three elections, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan suggested that gender equality should be integrated into the principles of making candidate lists to ensure requirements.

Although the Vice President of the National Assembly believes that in reality, our country does not need a separate law on gender ratio in elections, he believes that there needs to be a regulation on this issue, for example, each gender must not be higher than 65% or 70% or lower than 30% or 35%. If there is no strict regulation in the law, the female ratio may continue to decrease in the next elections.

Attending the working session of the National Assembly Standing Committee and speaking about this content, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan expressed: "It must be handled, otherwise the proportion of women will never meet the requirements". The Vice President also suggested reviewing the principle of determining the winner. The draft stipulates: "In case many people receive the same number of votes, the older person will be the winner". This is not appropriate because the person who is creative, young but talented, and has many contributions is not necessarily the older person.

Many opinions also agree that there should be more specific regulations on election propaganda and campaigning to ensure consistency in implementation, while being flexible and creating conditions for candidates to make the best use of opportunities to introduce themselves, while still being strict to ensure fairness, democracy, and objectivity in the election process.

Application does not require a Criminal Record

Opinions in the National Assembly Standing Committee agreed with the examining agency on not adding two types of documents to the candidacy dossiers for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies: Health certificate from a competent medical organization and Judicial record for candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at provincial and district levels.

According to Chairman of the Law Committee Phan Trung Ly, the addition of health certificates and criminal records will be costly, time-consuming and a waste of time and effort for candidates as well as relevant agencies and organizations in completing these documents. The distinction that only candidates for National Assembly deputies and provincial and district People's Council deputies need a criminal record while candidates for commune-level People's Council deputies do not need one is unreasonable and does not ensure fairness.

On the other hand, in the application form, the candidate's resume has a section for the candidate to clearly state his/her health status and personal history and must take responsibility for his/her statements.

Concerns about regulations on the National Election Council

The National Election Council is a constitutional institution with clearly defined functions of organizing the election of National Assembly deputies and directing and guiding the election of People's Council deputies at all levels; the Chairman of the Council is elected, dismissed, and removed by the National Assembly, and other members are approved by the National Assembly.

Many opinions suggested that the draft Law needs to be further reviewed and clarified to ensure that the Law's provisions on specific tasks, powers, and organizational structure of this Council are consistent with the content and spirit of the Constitution.

Specifically, the content of the organization of the election of National Assembly deputies, the responsibility of this Council in the process of preparing and organizing the election of National Assembly deputies; the role of the National Election Council in directing and guiding the election of People's Council deputies; the relationship between the National Election Council and local authorities, local election organizations as well as other agencies and organizations participating in the election process....

Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs Truong Thi Mai proposed to clearly define the authority of the Council because the relevant Laws have not mentioned it. Head of the Petition Committee Nguyen Duc Hien emphasized: This Law has the task of specifying the provisions of the Constitution, however, the draft has not highlighted the guidance, organizational structure, duties and powers... There are opinions that because this is a big and new issue, it needs to be discussed further, including the composition of the Council.

According to VOV