Voters now have more information to help them choose the right person.

Candidates for the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term are entering the election campaign period. In an interview with a reporter from the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper, Ms. To Thi Bich Chau, Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that the Fatherland Front at all levels will provide maximum support and create conditions for candidates to have the opportunity to present their action programs. This will give voters more information to choose worthy candidates.

Ms. To Thi Bich Chau, Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City

Campaign for open and equal elections.

REPORTER: In the coming days, candidates will begin their election campaigns – an activity of great interest to many voters. How will the Fatherland Front at all levels support the candidates in their election campaigns?

Ms. TO THI BICH CHAU: Election campaigning is a very important activity for every candidate. Candidates can campaign by meeting and interacting with voters at voter outreach meetings in their constituency or through mass media.

Recently, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Election Committee, organized a meeting with candidates to inform them about the socio -economic situation and the direction and goals for the next five years of Ho Chi Minh City as well as the whole country. At the same time, they guided candidates on skills in developing and presenting action programs, skills in interacting with voters, campaigning, as well as how to build their image, appear before the media, and maintain relations with the press.

We also instructed the Fatherland Front of Thu Duc City and the districts and counties on organizing voter conferences for candidates to campaign. This included emphasizing that election campaigning must be conducted democratically, openly, equally, and in accordance with the law.

With the COVID-19 pandemic developing in a complex manner, what measures does the Vietnam Fatherland Front have in place to ensure safety in pandemic prevention while still maintaining the quality of election campaigns?

COVID-19 prevention and control measures must always be taken seriously, without complacency or negligence in any situation. Meetings with constituents must strictly adhere to the 5K guidelines ( health declaration, social distancing, masks, disinfection, and no gatherings).

Therefore, voter outreach sessions can be divided into smaller groups, reducing the number of attendees to ensure proper social distancing in the fight against Covid-19. In return, the Vietnam Fatherland Front will propose that candidates increase the number of voter outreach sessions. The election law stipulates a minimum number of voter outreach sessions for candidates but does not specify a maximum. Therefore, groups of candidates within the same electoral district can agree with the Vietnam Fatherland Front to organize additional sessions based on gender, industry, etc.

We will strive to organize thoughtful and high-quality voter outreach events. At the same time, we will encourage full voter attendance so that candidates have the opportunity to present their action programs, allowing voters to consider and choose the most deserving candidate.

Candidates are prohibited from using money or assets to influence voter mobilization.

How will the Fatherland Front at all levels organize supervision to ensure that the election campaign process is fair, open, transparent, and in accordance with the law?

Going forward, we will focus on monitoring voter outreach meetings to ensure fairness, openness, transparency, and compliance with the law. This will also help prevent candidates from engaging in prohibited campaign practices.

Female candidates for the National Assembly and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council received advice on election campaigning from former Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, Pham Phuong Thao. Photo: VIET DUNG

According to regulations, voter outreach meetings must include the press, and media coverage must feature all five candidates in the group, ensuring equal treatment for all. All information regarding the candidates' biographies, qualifications, expertise, and action programs must be publicly and transparently disclosed. During these meetings, all candidates have the same amount of time (maximum 10 minutes) to present their action programs. Each candidate also has 5-10 minutes to prepare and answer questions from voters, ensuring all candidates have the opportunity to speak. Candidates and voters engage in democratic and open discussions on issues of mutual concern.

What specific behaviors are prohibited during election campaigns that you just mentioned?

According to regulations, prohibited acts in election campaigning include: using election campaigning to propagate ideas contrary to the Constitution and laws, or to harm the honor, dignity, reputation, rights, and legitimate interests of other organizations or individuals; abusing official positions and powers to use mass media in election campaigning; and using election campaigning to solicit sponsorships and donations domestically and internationally for one's own organization or individual. Using or promising money, property, or material benefits to entice or bribe voters is also prohibited in election campaigning. If any prohibited acts in election campaigning are detected, the Vietnam Fatherland Front will remind and correct them. Depending on the severity of the violation, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken.

According to regulations, the National Election Council, the Election Committee, the Election Board, and the Polling Station are prohibited from campaigning for candidates. Candidates for the National Assembly must have at least 10 meetings with voters to campaign. Candidates for the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council must have a minimum of 5 meetings. Candidates for the district and commune-level People's Councils must have at least 3 meetings. The campaign period begins from the date the official list of candidates is posted (May 3rd) and ends 24 hours before the start of voting (before 7:00 AM on May 22nd).

MAI HOA - MANH HOA performed

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cu-tri-co-them-thong-tin-de-lua-chon-nguoi-xung-dang-post592968.html