"Eliminate from the beginning those who show signs of ambition for power"

(Dan Tri) - In selecting delegates for the new term, the General Secretary requested careful screening and resolutely eliminating from the beginning those who show signs of political opportunism, power ambition, conservatism, and localism.

On the morning of November 15, General Secretary To Lam delivered a speech at the National Conference on implementing the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

Dan Tri Newspaper respectfully publishes the full text of General Secretary To Lam's speech.

Dear leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front , and National Election Council,

Dear delegates, dear comrades,

Today, in the exciting atmosphere of the entire Party, people and army actively competing to successfully complete the goals of the 13th National Congress term and carefully prepare in all aspects for the 14th National Congress of the Party, I am very pleased to attend the National Conference on the implementation of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, organized by the National Election Council.

On behalf of the Politburo, I would like to send to the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front; comrades in the National Election Council; leaders of central and local departments, ministries, branches, and organizations; and all comrades attending at the connecting points across the country my warm greetings, cordial greetings, and best wishes.

Overview of the Conference (Photo: Hong Phong).

Dear comrades!

Today's conference is of great significance, as it is a concrete step in implementing the Politburo's direction on leading the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term - a major political event of the country, taking place right after the 14th National Party Congress.

Since the first General Election in 1946, our country has successfully organized 15 National Assembly elections. Each election is an important milestone, associated with a different historical period and revolutionary mission of the nation - from the resistance war to build the country, fight for independence, unify the country to the current cause of innovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland.

Each voter's ballot over the past eight decades has been a vivid symbol of trust, of the strength of national unity, of the sense of responsibility and will to master the country of our people; affirming the democratic, progressive and humane nature of our State: "All power belongs to the people; our State is of the people, by the people and for the people".

The 16th election - taking place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first General Election - will continue the country's democratic source, affirming the strength of national unity to bring the country to steady development in the new era. The success of the election will create an important starting point for building and perfecting the State apparatus for the new term, creating a solid political and social foundation for the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

This is also an opportunity for us to affirm the Party's leadership capacity, the State's management effectiveness and the operational efficiency of the political system in the context of having just completed the streamlining of the organizational apparatus, merging administrative units, and reorganizing local governments according to the two-tier model. Therefore, this election is identified as a key political task of 2026.

The task for the entire Party, people and army at this time is to organize the preparation work well, ensuring the election is successful, takes place democratically, in accordance with the law, safely, economically and is truly a great festival for the people of the whole country.

I appreciate the activeness and proactiveness of the National Election Council and the agencies that have carefully prepared the content of the Conference. With the detailed guidance documents that have been issued, I believe that all levels and sectors have mastered the requirements and procedures for organizing the election.

This will be a "handbook" for all levels and sectors from the central to the grassroots level to immediately take action, prepare early and thoroughly for the work, and contribute to the successful organization of this important election. In order for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term to be a great success, I would like to emphasize 5 key issues that need to be thoroughly understood.

General Secretary To Lam gave a speech at the Conference (Photo: Pham Thang).

The first, focused leadership do a good job of personnel work - the most crucial part of the election.

The introduction of candidates must be conducted openly and transparently, listening to widespread opinions from the grassroots, but must be closely linked to the planning of cadres, the results of party congresses at all levels, and closely follow the requirements of streamlining the political system apparatus, implementing the two-level local government model; ensuring inheritance, connectivity and innovation.

The structure of delegates needs to ensure harmonious representation among sectors, classes, genders, ages, and regions; with appropriate proportions of full-time delegates, female delegates, young delegates, delegates from ethnic minorities, intellectuals, workers, farmers, businessmen, artists, religious dignitaries, etc. so that the National Assembly and People's Councils are truly a vivid face of the great national unity bloc.

We strive to elect enough representatives in terms of quantity and structure, but the quality of the representatives must be given top priority. National Assembly and People's Council representatives must truly be loyal representatives of the people, speak for the people, take care of the people's affairs, and protect the legitimate rights of the people - directly the people in their voting areas. We must select and introduce people who are truly exemplary in terms of quality and capacity.

They must be comrades with strong political will, loyal to the Fatherland and the People, virtuous and talented, meeting all legal standards and having enough conditions to perform well the duties of People's representatives. At the same time, those recommended must have enough health and time to participate and fulfill their responsibilities well when elected. The 2026-2031 term is a key period to realize the country's two 100-year strategic goals with very high requirements.

Therefore, we need to prioritize introducing people with innovative thinking, who dare to think, speak, do, and take responsibility; who have the vision and capacity to participate in policy making for local and national development in the new period.

On the contrary, it is necessary to carefully screen and resolutely eliminate from the beginning those who show signs of political opportunism, ambition for power, conservatism, factionalism, localism; individuals with low prestige, poor ethics, dishonesty or showing signs of violations that are being inspected and checked by competent authorities...

At the same time, it is also necessary to evaluate the recent disciplinary actions of a number of National Assembly and People's Council deputies; some of whom have abused their positions and powers to violate the law, etc., and thereby draw lessons for selecting and recommending personnel for the next term .

This is an important requirement to strictly maintain discipline and integrity of the cadre team, ensuring that the elected bodies for the next term truly consist of excellent and honest representatives who put the interests of the nation, people and people first and foremost.

As President Ho Chi Minh once advised, those who are elected by the people as representatives must "strive to maintain the independence of the Fatherland, strive to seek happiness for the people, and always remember and practice the saying: for the benefit of the country, forget the benefit of the family, for the benefit of the common good, forget the benefit of oneself."

I believe that with careful and thorough personnel preparation, we will introduce the most worthy candidates for the people to choose in the upcoming election.

Second, well organize the consultation, selection and introduction of candidates, and promote the people's mastery throughout the election process.

Party committees at all levels need to focus on leading and closely directing the organization of consultation conferences at all levels to establish lists of candidates for the National Assembly and People's Councils in accordance with legal procedures. Promote the important role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations in the consultation process, introducing candidates as well as supervising the election process.

The entire negotiation process must be conducted democratically, objectively, publicly and transparently in accordance with legal regulations; inspection and supervision of implementation must be strengthened, and negative phenomena such as unhealthy campaigning, "running" for candidacy, "running" for votes, or group interests that distort the meaning of the election must be resolutely prevented.

It is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for all citizens to fully exercise their right to run for election and their right to vote in accordance with the law, and absolutely not allow any illegal obstruction to infringe upon the people's right to mastery.

Tuesday, push propaganda and mobilization work, creating an exciting and consensus atmosphere in society and raising voters' awareness and responsibility.

Propaganda widely so that all cadres, party members and people clearly understand the meaning and importance of the election, and see the honor and responsibility of each voter's vote for the future of the country.

Each locality, agency and organization should launch exciting emulation movements to welcome the election; organize forums, conferences to meet voters, competitions to learn about election laws... suitable to specific conditions, creating a vibrant political atmosphere, truly a festival for all people.

Encourage and motivate all voters to voluntarily and actively participate in the election, strive to achieve the highest voter turnout rate, demonstrate responsibility towards the country, not just "vote for the sake of it".

Each cadre and party member must uphold their pioneering and exemplary role, not only voting fully and legally themselves, but also mobilizing their families, relatives and surrounding people to enthusiastically participate in the election. This is an opportunity for cadres and party members to be close to the people, listen to the people's thoughts and aspirations, participate in propaganda, mobilization, and orientation of public opinion, creating a high consensus in society to ensure the election takes place successfully.

Delegates attending the Conference (Photo: Pham Thang).

Wednesday, Ensure political security, social order and safety and promptly handle election issues.

Election security and safety must be prepared proactively, comprehensively, and closely. The authorities must strengthen their grasp of the situation, promptly detect and thoroughly handle any problems that arise, and avoid being passive or surprised in any situation.

Proactively have effective response plans to unusual situations of natural disasters, storms, floods, epidemics, and extreme weather, especially in remote areas, border areas, and islands, ensuring absolute safety for people, facilities, and the entire election process.

All complaints and denunciations related to the election must be resolved promptly and in accordance with the law. Resolutely fight against all false, distorted, inciting arguments, and abuse of the election to sabotage the Party and the State, and destroy the great national unity bloc; do not let bad forces take advantage of democracy and the election process to cause trouble and violate the law.

Fifth, strengthen the application of information technology and coordinate smoothly between agencies and organizations in the entire political system to successfully organize the election.

Promote the application of information technology in the management and operation of elections, from the stage of creating and updating voter lists, supporting consultations to reporting election results...; but special attention must be paid to ensuring network safety, security and information confidentiality, to avoid errors and data leaks.

The stages in the organization process require smooth coordination between agencies and units from the central to local levels; avoiding overlapping or missing tasks, all for the common goal of successfully organizing the election.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized five key tasks related to the election work (Photo: Pham Thang).

The National Election Council; the National Assembly Party Committee; the Government Party Committee; the Vietnam Fatherland Front Party Committee, central mass organizations; and central ministries, branches and sectors need to closely coordinate, unify actions, strengthen guidance, inspection, urging and support for localities, ensuring synchronization and unity nationwide.

Provincial and municipal Party Committees urgently established local Steering Committees to comprehensively lead the election work in the area, avoiding passivity or confusion at any stage.

Dear comrades!

There is not much time left until the election day (March 15, 2026), only 4 months, the workload is huge, the requirements are very high. I request all levels and sectors to immediately take action, work specifically, practically, effectively, without formality; clearly assign people, tasks, responsibilities, and completion time; regularly check, urge, remove difficulties and obstacles, ensure progress and quality of work, and best prepare conditions for a successful election.

I firmly believe that with the determination and drastic leadership and direction of Party committees at all levels; the close coordination of agencies and organizations in the political system; and the consensus and active response of nearly 100 million voters and people nationwide, the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term will be a great success, truly becoming a festival of the entire nation - where the Party's will blends with the people's hearts, continuing to arouse the aspiration to rise up and build a strong, prosperous Vietnam, with free, prosperous and happy people.

I wish you all good health and success in your assigned tasks. I wish the Conference great success!

Thank you very much.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/loai-bo-ngay-tu-dau-nhung-nguoi-co-bieu-hien-tham-vong-quyen-luc-20251115111144013.htm