Nghe An moves early to secure a smooth, lawful and on-schedule election of deputies to the 16th Legislature
Nghe An province has taken proactive and early steps to ensure that preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term are conducted strictly in line with regulations and on schedule.
On the afternoon of January 20, a working delegation from the Nghe An Provincial Election Committee, led by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Phu Hien, carried out inspections and supervision at 10 wards and communes. The delegation noted that local authorities had seriously implemented all procedural steps in the election process while urging them to maintain close adherence to the timeline, particularly the upcoming key rounds of voter consultation.
Grassroots-level preparations rolled out in a coordinated manner
According to reports presented at the meeting, the election of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council members at all levels has been identified by local authorities as a central political task. The wards and communes have focused on implementing the work rigorously, following directives and guidelines issued by central agencies and the province.
To date, the 10 localities - Truong Vinh, Thanh Vinh, Vinh Hung, Vinh Phu, Vinh Loc, Cua Lo, and the communes of Hung Nguyen, Yen Trung, Hung Nguyen Nam, and Lam Thanh - have completed the establishment of election-related bodies in accordance with legal regulations. These include Election Committees, Election Boards, and Polling Teams, forming a comprehensive organizational framework for the upcoming vote.
Following the first round of voter consultation conferences, localities organized meetings of voters at workplaces to introduce candidates for commune-level People’s Councils. At the same time, they guided nominated candidates in completing their application dossiers and carried out preliminary verification procedures in preparation for the second round of consultation conferences, scheduled for February 2–3, 2026.
Alongside personnel-related preparations, wards and communes conducted an initial review of voter lists, proactively identifying potential challenges - particularly in areas with large apartment complexes and industrial zones, where population mobility is high. Plans have also been put in place to ensure public security, social order, and disaster preparedness, including contingencies for storms and flooding, to guarantee that the election will take place safely, lawfully, and democratically under all circumstances.
Local concerns and proposals for further support
Despite the encouraging progress, several localities raised recommendations for provincial authorities to continue providing financial support for election-related communications and infrastructure. They also pointed to the need for solutions to address overlaps between voter see data managed by the police and the actual population situation at the grassroots level.
Some local representatives proposed strengthening professional training for Election Boards and Polling Teams - the frontline forces directly responsible for the quality and integrity of election organization. Others emphasized the importance of expanding the application of information technology to gradually improve efficiency in election management and administration.
Based on local reports, members of the inspection delegation exchanged views and highlighted several key priorities. These included leadership responsibilities in personnel orientation, ensuring the quality and timeliness of consultation conferences, and placing particular emphasis on verifying the political and ethical qualifications of candidates. The delegation also underscored the need to enhance communication efforts and to proactively anticipate and address emerging issues from the grassroots level.
Thorough preparation to avoid passivity in any scenario
Concluding the working session, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An People’s Committee Hoang Phu Hien praised the localities for their sense of urgency, seriousness, and compliance with legal requirements in preparing for the election. He affirmed that the establishment of election bodies and the implementation of initial procedural steps had met the set objectives.
He stressed that the time remaining until Election Day - Sunday, March 15, 2026 - is limited and coincides with the Lunar New Year holiday period. Against this backdrop, he urged local authorities to stay closely attuned to local realities, proactively implement all steps according to the approved plan, and ensure that preparations for the second and third rounds of voter consultation strictly meet statutory deadlines.
During the implementation process, any difficulties or obstacles should be promptly reported and discussed with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province for timely guidance and resolution, he added.
Vice Chairman Hien also called on localities to work closely with the provincial Department of Home Affairs and the provincial Police Department to continue reviewing and updating voter lists, especially in apartment complexes and industrial zones. At the same time, they should reassess human resources involved in election work and develop contingency personnel plans for polling teams, ensuring readiness to respond to unexpected situations.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need to intensify communication and outreach efforts, particularly through digital platforms, to raise public awareness and engagement. Local authorities were encouraged to maintain a firm grasp of grassroots-level developments and to formulate specific action plans tailored to each locality and each stage of the process.
“These synchronized and proactive preparations are essential to ensure that the upcoming election is conducted democratically, lawfully, safely, and smoothly”, Vice Chairman Hien concluded, “and that it truly becomes a festival of democracy for the entire people”.
