Choose people early.

There's still a week to go until the national election – the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and representatives to the People's Councils at all levels – but the event has already arrived early for the people in my neighborhood.

For several days now, residents have been planning to meet at the neighborhood's community center this weekend to check the posted voter list and learn more about the candidates. A lively atmosphere, both political and communal, has spread throughout the neighborhood. It's been a long time since a community activity has received such attention and support from the residents.

Yesterday morning, using the excuse of it being a day off, I snuggled into a late sleep. I was still half-asleep when a neighbor knocked on the door. Looking at the clock, it was only 7 a.m., so I pulled the covers back, intending to sleep in after telling the neighbor it was still early. Immediately, an elderly neighbor said that I wasn't in the right frame of mind. They had agreed to go to the community center this morning to review the list of candidates and have a collective discussion, so there was no reason to sleep in. We could sleep anytime, but that didn't mean we should miss an important community event that only happens once every five years. Realizing I was wrong, I immediately woke up. I asked to go to the community center later so that the neighbors wouldn't waste my time.

The story of the people in my neighborhood is nothing unusual. Community cultural centers and polling stations in many communes and wards have been crowded in recent days. The presence of these citizens is primarily to affirm their civic responsibility and political stance in the upcoming election. They are not rushing to vote, nor are they simply fulfilling their duty. Each ballot represents a responsibility to the country and the locality in choosing a worthy candidate.

It is commendable that each voter has the responsibility to thoroughly research the list of candidates before voting, thus being more accountable for their ballot. While acknowledging that the seriousness and dedication of voters are not a perfect filter, they will help select truly worthy representatives who are ethical, capable, passionate, courageous, close to the people, understand the people, and at the very least, eliminate from the outset those who exhibit political opportunism, power ambitions, conservatism, factionalism, and localism, as General Secretary To Lam has stated: "We strive to elect the required number and structure of representatives, but the quality of representatives must be paramount."

Each vote cast by voters in the election of National Assembly deputies for the 16th term and People's Council representatives at all levels for the 2026-2031 term goes beyond a civic duty; it will indirectly contribute to determining the future of the country in the next five years. That's why the people in my neighborhood and many other residential areas are so eager and excited for this national event.

Hanh Nhien

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chon-nguoi-tu-som-280490.htm