The 13th Congress ballot and the echoes of 75 years ago

National AssemblyIn the first course, in the notes of Mr. Vu Dinh Hoe, the representativeness is shown through the numbers:

Regarding social composition: Intellectuals account for 61%; Industrialists 6%; Merchants 5%; Workers 6%; Farmers 22%.

Regarding political trends: Marxists have 10 delegates; Socialists 27; Democratic Party 45; Allied Association 22; Vietnam Nationalist Party 26 delegates. In addition, there are independent delegates, including 82 Anti-fascists and 90 National Conservatives.

Regarding age: Delegates from 18-25 years old account for 7%, from 26-40 years old account for 70%, from 41-50 years old account for 18%, from 51-70 years old account for 5%.

Mr. Vu Dinh Hoe (1912-2011) was a delegate of the 1st National Assembly, the second Minister of Justice of the Government, from March 1946 to May 1959. The above figures were recorded by him in the book Ho Chi Minh's Humanitarian Law (Culture, Information and Communication Publishing House, East-West Language and Culture, H.2001, Vol. 1, pp. 81-82).

It can be said that the above figures reflect the high representativeness of the 1st National Assembly, covering all social components and political parties, reflecting the trends and social interests at that time. And especially, that result symbolizes the strength of national unity, national unity for the highest goal: protecting the young independence from the colonial and imperialist forces that are threatening to return.

This was also the greatest, most concentrated, and most unified need of the Vietnamese people at that time, and it was this need that dominated, influenced, and contributed to deciding the results of the General Election.

Demands of the nation

It is no coincidence that in recent days, activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the General Election have been solemnly organized by the Central and local governments from North to South. Because, in nearly three weeks, on January 25,CongressNational RepresentativeThe Communist Party of Vietnam will open.

That congress will elect the Central Executive Committee - the highest authority of the Party for a 5-year term, which is the political basis for the next, on May 23, voters nationwide will elect National Assembly and People's Council deputies, which is the legal basis for the state apparatus at both the central and local levels for the 2021-2026 term.

It is very difficult and not advisable to compare the current political and social context with the past. But one thing that can be affirmed is that in any election, representation must meet the needs and interests, especially the national and ethnic interests at the historical moment in which it takes place. And those interests that are comprehensive and universal will impact and contribute to deciding the outcome of that election.

What issues are the 1,590 delegates attending the 13th Congress, including 194 ex-officio delegates, 15 appointed delegates and 1,381 delegates elected by the congresses of the Party Committees directly under the Central Committee concerned about? It is difficult to judge and understand this diversity and complexity without a scientific, methodical and objective research and investigation.

But one thing is certain, the common urges that have been and are the driving force for the entire nation to move forward will also impact and motivate the delegates. Because they represent 5.9 million party members (figure as of December 2019) of the only ruling party, whose representativeness is affirmed in the Charter as well as the Constitution as “…the vanguard of the working people and the Vietnamese nation, loyal representatives of the interests of… the working people and the entire nation”.

Witnessing the crowds of people and the red flags with yellow stars pouring down the streets in 2018 to welcome the men's and women's football teams, who for the first time in 60 years won the SEA Games. Feeling the love, trust and hope of the majority of people in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been successful since the beginning of 2020 until now. Feeling the suggestions and expectations of 97 million Vietnamese people sending to the 13th Congress ballots as well as the ballots for elected representatives.

That is the aspiration and demand of a nation determined to be strong, a country that must rise even stronger in a world that is constantly moving and full of challenges.

Delegates, whether elected from congresses of party committees in the lowlands or highlands, whether they are civil servants or from the armed forces, voters in flashy urban areas or rural areas still struggling with many difficulties, all hold in their hands, each one a vote, representing that aspiration and demand.

Those votes, directly or indirectly, near or far, will choose people who will represent both political and legal power, with the responsibility on their shoulders to soon make the dreams of the entire nation come true.