Over 2.2 million voters in Nghe An will exercise their right to vote.

On the morning of May 18th, the National Election Council held a nationwide online conference to review the preliminary results of the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and deputies to People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term.

Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue - Member of the Political Bureau, Chairman of the National Assembly, Chairman of the National Election Council, and other leaders of the National Election Council presided over the meeting at the Hanoi venue.

Attending the conference at the Nghe An provincial branch were: Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Election Steering Committee; Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial Election Steering Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Election Committee; Comrade Nguyen Xuan Son - Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Chairman of the Provincial Election Committee; and other comrades in the Provincial Election Steering Committee and Election Committee;…

Overview of the conference at the Hanoi venue. Photo: Doan Tuan/TTXVN

ELECTION PREPARATIONS ARE FOLLOWING THE PLAN.

The National Election Council's assessment indicates that the election is being implemented synchronously and rigorously by all levels, sectors, provinces, and cities, achieving high results. Election preparations have closely followed the plan and procedures according to the Election Law and the resolutions of the National Election Council. Nationwide, there are a total of 69,198,954 voters with 84,767 polling stations.

Nghe An province has 5 constituencies for National Assembly representatives; 26 constituencies for provincial People's Council representatives, 216 constituencies for district-level People's Council representatives, 3,242 constituencies for commune-level People's Council representatives, and 3,416 polling areas.

This includes 159 electoral units and 207 polling areas in 4 districts: Ky Son, Con Cuong, Que Phong, and Tuong Duong, where voting took place two days earlier (May 21, 2021) than the officially scheduled election date of May 23, 2021.

Provincial leaders follow the conference from the Nghệ An provincial venue. Photo: Thành Duy

In Nghe An province, the number of elected representatives is 13 National Assembly representatives, 83 provincial People's Council representatives, 737 district-level People's Council representatives, and 10,993 commune-level People's Council representatives.

As of May 14, 2021, the number of registered voters in the province was 2,285,351. The commune-level election committees are currently reviewing the posted voter lists to proactively update any changes and ensure that the voter lists are compiled and posted in accordance with the law.

As of May 17, 2021, Nghe An province had organized 24 out of 24 voter outreach meetings for National Assembly candidates, 54 out of 54 voter outreach meetings for provincial People's Council candidates, 312 out of 392 voter outreach meetings for district People's Council candidates, and 2,874 out of 3,264 voter outreach meetings for commune-level People's Council candidates.

Voters in Vinh City view the posted list of candidates. Photo: Duc Anh

Given the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the province has also developed specific plans and scenarios for organizing election day in localities without outbreaks, localities with outbreaks; at locations implementing social distancing, home isolation, workplace isolation, residential isolation, centralized medical isolation, social isolation, or at medical facilities.

To ensure that the election is conducted democratically, in accordance with the law, with absolute safety, and successfully, especially in the context of the complex Covid-19 pandemic, the conference reviewed the preparatory work and provided guidance on subsequent tasks until the election is successfully held; it also listened to and resolved difficulties, obstacles, suggestions, and proposals from localities, organizations, and relevant agencies.

Through this, we will unify our understanding and demonstrate strong determination in action to make the most thorough and complete preparations for the election – a momentous political event for the country – ensuring it proceeds as planned, truly becomes a national celebration, a celebration for all citizens, and is a resounding success.

READY FOR THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL

In his closing remarks at the conference, Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue - Member of the Political Bureau, Chairman of the National Assembly, and Chairman of the National Election Council - emphasized that, to date, all preparations have been basically completed, ready for election day.

With only 5 days left until election day, the Chairman of the National Election Council requested continued strict implementation of directives from all levels regarding the election; proactive development of election organization plans that are appropriate to the situation in each locality and in accordance with the functions and duties of each agency and unit.

Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue - Member of the Political Bureau, Chairman of the National Assembly, Chairman of the National Election Council - delivered the closing remarks at the conference. Photo: Doan Tuan/TTXVN.

The Speaker of the National Assembly also requested continued review and refinement, as well as thorough rehearsals of election organization plans in the context of the still complex Covid-19 pandemic, and plans to handle other situations such as natural disasters, in order to ensure the best conditions for a successful and safe election.

In addition, it is necessary to continue providing supplementary training for personnel in election units, especially for polling stations, while also preparing a reserve of human resources for polling stations; organizing testing and prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for election personnel, especially in high-risk areas.

Election committees at all levels need to promptly identify and report any new issues arising related to personnel; obstacles and difficulties in the preparation process according to regulations; promptly assess the actual number of voters in the area to ensure the highest possible voter turnout; and flexibly organize polling stations and areas in areas under social distancing, concentrated quarantine, or lockdown.

Ensuring fairness in the campaigning of candidates; strengthening election information and communication, especially focusing on grassroots information, innovating forms of propaganda towards visual and lively approaches, promoting the role of village elders, community leaders, and reputable religious figures; intensifying the fight against distorted and subversive arguments against the election by hostile forces, political opportunists, and reactionaries, including in cyberspace.

Delegates follow the conference from the Nghe An branch. Photo: Thanh Duy

The Chairman of the National Election Council emphasized the spirit of organizing early elections, with the peak being the unified election on May 23, 2021, determined to ensure that no locality, unit, or polling station holds a late election. Therefore, for areas requiring early elections, especially quarantined areas, specific documents are needed so that the National Election Council can provide timely guidance.

In addition, localities, departments, and agencies need to continue ensuring security, order, and social safety; review the facilities serving the election; ensure the safety of each ballot box, polling station, election staff, and voters; be flexible in organizing the election opening ceremony to ensure it is solemn, dignified, and streamlined;…