Memories of the first General Election Day

January 6, 1946, marked the first time in the nation's history that all citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of gender, wealth, ethnicity, or religion, enthusiastically cast their ballots to elect worthy representatives to the National Assembly. This momentous event is a "glorious milestone," marking a significant leap forward in democratic institutions – when the Vietnamese people, from a state of slavery, became citizens of a free and independent nation.

Mr. Hoang Tien Luc (Hoang Son commune) - who had the honor of serving as the secretary of the Dai An village election committee in 1946.

Less than a week after the glorious moment of September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh issued Decree No. 14 on September 8, 1945, stating that a general election would be held to elect the first National Assembly. After several postponements, the first general election in the country was finally held on Sunday, January 6, 1946, according to the principles of democracy, direct voting, and secret ballot.

History has written much about the first general election exactly eight decades ago, but I would like to hear someone who lived through those years recount it, so that I can feel the sacred moment of that "national celebration."

Driven by that wish, I headed towards the sea to meet Mr. Vu Xuan Tu, born in 1928, residing on Dai Truc Street, Sam Son Ward. Mr. Tu is now 98 years old – an age that has caused him to forget many things, but the feeling of holding a ballot to vote for the first time remains vividly etched in his mind.

Grandpa Tứ recounted: “Early Sunday morning, laughter and chatter echoed throughout Lê Viêm commune (formerly Quảng Xương district), signaling the start of the nation’s first general election. In the villages, people flocked to polling stations to cast their votes. That year, I was 18 years old, so I went with my parents to exercise my civic right. The general election took place with great fanfare in all the villages, further enhancing the vibrant political atmosphere in the countryside of Lê Viêm. I can never forget the enthusiastic and joyful spirit of that day.”

Leaving the coastal town, I drove along National Highway 1A to Hoang Son commune to meet Mr. Hoang Tien Luc, the secretary of the election committee of Dai An village, Duong Son commune (formerly Hoang Hoa district). Mr. Luc was born in 1932, and is 94 years old this year, but he is still very sharp-minded. I brought up the topic of the first general election, and he enthusiastically recounted that historic day with all the memories and emotions of someone who had the honor of serving as the secretary of the election committee of Dai An village.

Mr. Luc recalled: “That year, most people in the village were illiterate. Although I wasn't old enough to vote, I had graduated from primary school, so I was chosen as the secretary for the village election committee. My father, Mr. Hoang Dan, was also on the election committee. In those days, there were no loudspeakers, so the hamlets held meetings to disseminate information. News of the general election spread quickly. As the election day approached, the atmosphere became increasingly lively and enthusiastic. To remember the names of the 14 delegates elected to the National Assembly , I wrote two lines of poetry: Thuy, Thong, Dac, Hy, Oanh, Ky / Tinh, Thuan, Ngoc, Hue, Thuc, Ky, Duc, Ban. Even today, 80 years later, these two lines of poetry remain vividly etched in my mind.”

In his "Call to the Nation to Vote," President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Politically, the people use their votes to fight the enemy. A single vote has the power of a bullet," to "show the world that the Vietnamese people are: resolutely united, resolutely fighting against the colonialists, and resolutely fighting for independence." A small vote carries a great responsibility; therefore, having just emerged from a long night of slavery, the entire nation, despite the sabotage of hostile forces, went to the polls with a high spirit of nationalism.

Several artifacts related to the first General Election are proudly displayed at the Thanh Hoa Provincial Museum.

Joining the enthusiastic atmosphere across the country, the people of Thanh Hoa eagerly went to the polls to exercise their right to freedom and democracy. From cities to rural areas, polling stations were decorated with flags, banners, and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh. From early morning, in every family, husbands and wives reminded each other, and grandparents urged their children and grandchildren to actively participate in the election. In the book "60 Years of Organization and Activities of the Thanh Hoa National Assembly Delegation (1946-2006)", National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Van Hue wrote emotionally: "Perhaps never before have the people lived in such a joyful atmosphere. Looking at each person's face, we can feel that they are truly happy and proud. That is a legitimate pride that they could not have experienced just a few days earlier."

The high nationalistic spirit yielded very encouraging results, with 96% of the total number of voters in the province casting their ballots, and 14 representatives from Thanh Hoa province being elected to the National Assembly. Nationwide, 89% of the total number of voters cast their ballots, electing 333 representatives to the National Assembly.

The victory of the first General Election opened a new era of development for our country: an era with a National Assembly, a Constitution, a unified Government, and a system of administration from the central to local levels. Eighty years and 15 National Assembly elections, the first General Election in 1946 will forever remain a "golden page" in the history of the Vietnamese nation.

Text and photos: To Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-uc-ngay-tong-tuyen-cu-dau-tien-276731.htm