Proposal to increase the number of full-time National Assembly deputies

Continuing the working program, on the morning of August 15, the National Assembly Standing Committee discussed the draft Law on the Organization of the National Assembly (amended).

Regarding the scope of regulation and structure of the draft Law, taking into account the opinions suggesting a review of the provisions in the draft Law, comparing them with the Constitution, the current Law on Organization of the National Assembly and the internal rules and regulations to provide more specific regulations on the organization, tasks and powers of the National Assembly; regarding the activities of the National Assembly, only retaining the provisions of a principled and general nature, the Law Committee has made changes in the structure to more clearly demonstrate the organization and activities of the National Assembly.

A plenary session of the National Assembly. Source: VNA

Specifically, Chapter I (draft submitted to the National Assembly) is divided into two chapters (Chapter I and Chapter V), in which Chapter I stipulates the position, functions, tasks and powers of the National Assembly and Chapter V stipulates the National Assembly sessions. Chapter V (draft submitted to the National Assembly) is divided into two chapters (Chapter VI and Chapter VII), in which Chapter VI stipulates the Delegation Working Committee, the People's Petition Committee and the Institute for Legislative Studies, Chapter VII stipulates the Secretary General of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office and the National Assembly's operating budget to clearly define the positions of these agencies.

The layout of the sections in each chapter on the National Assembly, National Assembly deputies, National Assembly Standing Committee, National Council, National Assembly Committees, etc. to clearly define the organization, tasks, powers and main methods of operation of the subjects in the Law.

The revised draft Law consists of 8 chapters and 104 articles, an increase of 2 chapters and a reduction of 8 articles compared to the draft Law submitted to the National Assembly.

Regarding the provisions on National Assembly deputies (Chapter II), many opinions agree with the provisions on National Assembly deputies in the draft Law, but there are also opinions that the provisions as drafted do not clarify the role of deputies; the operating mechanism of National Assembly deputies is still heavily administrative; the powers of deputies are unclear; the number of full-time National Assembly deputies has increased but not significantly...

The Standing Committee of the Law Committee proposed to revise the draft Law in the direction of: increasing the number of full-time National Assembly deputies from at least 35% to 40% (Article 24); Clearly defining the nature of the activities of National Assembly deputies as full-time and part-time; Clearly demonstrating the responsibility of National Assembly deputies in participating in the activities of the National Assembly, the agencies of the National Assembly, responsibility to voters and receiving citizens, receiving and handling citizens' petitions, complaints and denunciations; Clearly demonstrating the rights of National Assembly deputies recognized by the Constitution such as the right to submit draft laws and ordinances, submit petitions on laws and ordinances, the right to participate as members of the National Assembly Council and Committees; Specifically regulating the salary and allowance regime for full-time National Assembly deputies and the conditions to ensure the rights of National Assembly deputies.

Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs Truong Thi Mai commented that Clause 2, Article 79 of the Constitution clearly stipulates: “National Assembly deputies shall closely contact voters and be subject to their supervision; collect and honestly reflect voters’ opinions and aspirations to the National Assembly and relevant agencies and organizations; implement a regime of contact and reporting to voters on the activities of deputies and the National Assembly; respond to voters’ requests and recommendations; monitor and urge the settlement of complaints and denunciations and guide and assist in the exercise of the right to complain and denunciation.”

According to the delegate, the content of "guidance and assistance in exercising the right to complain and denounce" for voters is a good provision that needs to be specified in the draft Law on Organization of the National Assembly (amended).

Regarding the National Assembly's supervision, Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs Truong Thi Mai said that point e, clause 2, article 7 of the draft law stipulates that the National Assembly exercises its supervisory power through activities, including the establishment of a temporary Committee to investigate a certain issue and review the Committee's investigation report.

Regarding this regulation, Chairwoman Truong Thi Mai said that this is a problem that has existed for many years and there is no mechanism to implement this regulation. The delegate proposed to specify the regulation in Article 70 of the Constitution, clearly stating the process and procedures for establishing the Provisional Investigation Committee?

Head of the National Assembly Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc suggested that the draft law should design regulations on when to establish a temporary committee for investigation; conditions for establishing a temporary committee for investigation to perform the National Assembly's supervisory function in Article 7.

Regarding the content of deciding on basic state policies in Article 8 of the draft law, Chairman of the Ethnic Council K'sor Phuoc expressed his hesitation, because for a long time, the National Assembly has been deciding on many social policy issues such as gender equality, social insurance... but has not been included in the draft law. Therefore, in Clause 3, Article 8, in addition to deciding on ethnic policies, religious policies; basic foreign policies, it is necessary to add the content of deciding on social policies.

At the working session, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave specific opinions on the following contents: position, functions, tasks, and powers of the National Assembly; the National Council, the National Assembly Committees (Chapter IV); the Delegation Working Committee, the People's Aspirations Committee, and the Institute for Legislative Studies...

According to Vietnam+