The General Election of the People's Will

In 1946, in his "Call to the Nation to Vote" for the first general election, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "A single ballot has the power of a bullet," to "show the world that the Vietnamese people are determined to unite closely, determined to fight against the colonialists, and determined to fight for independence." From the small ballots of each voter in that first general election, representatives of the people's will and aspirations were elected to participate in the National Assembly, enact the Constitution, establish an official government apparatus, and build a State of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Hoang Hoa commune is adorned with flags and flowers in preparation for the upcoming election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and representatives to the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

After several changes, the first general election in the country was finally scheduled for Sunday, January 6, 1946. The day before – January 5, 1946 – in his "Call to the Nation to Vote," President Ho Chi Minh emphasized: "Tomorrow is a joyful day for our people, because tomorrow is the day of the general election, because tomorrow is the first day in Vietnamese history that our people begin to enjoy their democratic rights."

Responding to President Ho Chi Minh's call, all Vietnamese people (18 years of age and older), from the lowlands to the highlands, from the North to the South, from rural areas to cities, regardless of gender or age, dedicated an entire historic day to voting in the National Assembly elections. At 100 years old, her steps are slow and her eyesight is failing, but Mrs. Hoang Thi Ngan from Hamlet 7, Tan Son, Kim Tan Commune, still remembers that first election day: “Early in the morning of the General Election, I arrived at the polling station and saw a large crowd of people standing there, all eagerly waiting for their turn. People were chatting animatedly and personally casting their ballots to exercise their civic rights. For voters who couldn't go to vote in person, the organizing committee brought the ballot boxes to them. The people's faith and hope were expressed in every drumbeat, every song, and every ballot they cast. It was truly a General Election of the people's hearts, reflecting their absolute faith in the bright future of the nation and the prospects of the revolutionary government.”

Mr. Vu Xuan Tu, residing in Sam Son ward, and his daughter reminisced about their first time voting in the first National Assembly elections.

Recalling memories eroded by time, Mr. Vu Xuan Tu from Sam Son ward excitedly spoke with us about his first time voting. Born in 1926, he remains remarkably sharp and healthy. Even with the harsh passage of time, he couldn't erase the memory of the first time he and his parents cast their ballots. With a warm, deep voice and an excellent memory, Mr. Tu recounted: “The first general election took place in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement. I still remember that feeling very clearly. Although I've voted many times before, this year I still want to personally cast my vote in the election for National Assembly and People's Council representatives for the 2021-2026 term, which will take place on March 15th. I hope that the elected representatives will strive for the aspirations of the people, represent the interests of the people, and make positive contributions to the development of the province and the country.”

In Thanh Hoa, the first General Election Day became a great festival for the people, as everyone for the first time felt the political rights and sacred duty of citizens of an independent and free country. The high national spirit yielded very encouraging results, with 96% of the total number of voters in the province casting their ballots, and 14 representatives from the Thanh Hoa region being elected to the National Assembly.

The first successful general election went down in national history as a glorious milestone, marking a significant leap forward in democratic institutions and ushering in a new era of national development. For the first time in history, the Vietnamese people, from a state of slavery, became citizens of a free and independent nation, deciding their own destiny. Vietnam not only became an independent nation but also had a representative body that embodied the will, aspirations, and sovereignty of the people, making decisions on important national matters on their behalf. The first National Assembly of Vietnam was elected on January 6, 1946, with a voter turnout of 89%. This was the longest term of the National Assembly in history, lasting 14 years, from January 1946 to May 1960, due to the wartime conditions and the country's division, which prevented the organization of nationwide elections to elect a new National Assembly.

Over the past 80 years, since the first general election to elect the National Assembly, our people have held 15 elections. 2026 will be the year of the 14th National Assembly election and the election of People's Council representatives at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. Throughout the ups and downs of history, the National Assembly has always been closely connected to the people, embodying their strength, accompanying the nation in the struggle for independence, freedom, and national reunification, as well as in the building and protection of the Fatherland and international integration. Therefore, each election brings excitement and pride to the people as they fulfill their civic duty, wisely choosing and electing those with sufficient virtue and talent, the most worthy representatives to the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. With each ballot, voters place their trust in each elected candidate, believing they must strive to fulfill President Ho Chi Minh's instructions: "Those elected must strive to uphold the independence of the Fatherland and work towards the happiness of the people. They must always remember and practice the saying: For the benefit of the nation, forget personal gain; for the common good, forget private gain. They must be worthy of the people and worthy of the Fatherland."

Text and photos: To Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cuoc-tong-tuyen-cu-cua-long-dan-279007.htm