The ballot box of faith

Among the permanent exhibits of the National History Museum is a small but significant artifact: a ballot box that was used in the 1946 election of representatives to the first National Assembly of Vietnam in Thanh Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province (formerly).

Tourists admire the unique ballot box.

On January 6, 1946, the first general election in our country's history took place nationwide. For the first time, all citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of gender, religion, or social class, were allowed to vote for representatives to the National Assembly .

In the rural area of ​​Tuyen Hoa at that time, material conditions were very scarce. Without specially manufactured ballot boxes, people had to utilize readily available household items to make ballot boxes. The ballot box currently preserved at the museum is rectangular, unpainted, measuring 37 cm in length, 20.5 cm in width, and 22 cm in height.

Mr. Trieu Van Hien, former Director of the Vietnam Revolutionary Museum (now the National Museum of History), said: "This was originally a money box with many different compartments, which people voluntarily brought out to use as a ballot box."

According to Mr. Hien, this detail clearly reflects the context of the country at that time. When the revolutionary state was first established, material resources were extremely scarce, but the people's spirit of participating in building the government was very strong.

The willingness to use their family's money box as a ballot box demonstrates the immense trust the people placed in the new government, as well as their sense of responsibility for the nation's destiny. It was from that wooden box that the first ballots of the local people were cast, contributing to the success of the historic general election.

Despite the fierce fighting during the resistance in Quang Binh , and the loss of many artifacts, the Hoang Hoc family has preserved and safeguarded the ballot box as a family treasure for many years.

On July 8, 1956, this historical artifact was officially donated by the family of Mr. Hoang Hoc to the Vietnam Revolutionary Museum to serve the preservation and promotion of its heritage value.

According to researchers, this is a rare artifact that directly reflects the 1946 general election in a central Vietnamese locality where organizing elections faced numerous difficulties.

The story of the ballot box in Tuyen Hoa paints a true picture of the country in 1946. It was a newly independent nation, still poor but full of aspirations for democracy and faith in the future. The simple ballot boxes placed in village communal houses, schools, or commune offices at that time became the places where people entrusted their right to self-governance.

Over the past 80 years, Vietnam has held numerous elections for the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels, with an increasingly sophisticated organizational system. The ballot boxes today are uniformly designed, securely sealed, and placed in well-maintained polling stations.

However, looking back at the small wooden ballot box from Quang Binh, many people still clearly feel its special historical value. It is a testament to a glorious historical moment and also a profound message to future generations about the meaning of independence, freedom, and the people's right to control their own destiny. "Life may change a lot, but this ballot box will surely be associated with history forever," Mr. Hien proudly affirmed.

THANH DUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hom-phieu-cua-niem-tin-post948503.html