Polling Underway In Vietnam To Elect New Parliament

HANOI, March 15 (Bernama-VNA) -- Voters across Vietnam began casting their ballots at more than 72,000 polling stations at exactly 7.00 am (local time) on Sunday to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Earlier, several polling stations conducted early voting in accordance with the law due to local conditions.

Nearly 79 million voters nationwide are expected to exercise their electoral rights and responsibilities in the election.

The election is an important political event for the country, taking place shortly after the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

It represents a concrete step in implementing the Congress’s resolution in connection with the Party’s personnel work, involving the responsibilities of authorities at all levels and sectors.

The election also provides an opportunity for voters to exercise their right to representation by selecting outstanding and deserving representatives who will convey their will and aspirations in the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the new term.

It is being held as Vietnam’s reform process, after 40 years, has achieved significant accomplishments of historic importance across all areas of social life.

The election also takes place as Vietnam continues implementing the reorganisation and streamlining of the political system’s apparatus, adjusting administrative boundaries and operating a two-tier local administration model aimed at ensuring a leaner, stronger, more efficient and effective governance system.

According to the National Election Council, voters will elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly from 864 candidates, representing 1.73 candidates per seat.

For provincial-level People’s Councils, voters will elect 2,552 deputies from 4,217 candidates, or 1.65 candidates per seat.

For commune-level People’s Councils, voters will elect 72,611 deputies from 120,873 candidates, or 1.66 candidates per seat, in accordance with the law.

Under the regulations, voting will conclude at 7.00 pm (local time) on the same day, except in cases where voting is extended as permitted by law, but no later than 9.00 pm (local time).

-- BERNAMA-VNA