The national celebration arrives early in the East Sea.

The first ballots for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term have been cast in ballot boxes on the islands of the Truong Sa Special Administrative Region and the shoals of the southern continental shelf.

Officers and soldiers of the 2nd Naval Region carry ballot boxes up to the offshore platform in preparation for the election.

The first ballots for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term have been cast in ballot boxes on the islands of the Truong Sa Special Administrative Region and the shoals of the southern continental shelf. The journey of ships carrying ballots and hope continues to reach voters throughout the East Sea region.

Following the ballot boxes to the sea

The TS-04 vessel, of Squadron 1, Brigade 125, Region 2 of the Navy, has had the honor of twice transporting election teams to the southern continental shelf to conduct early voting. This year is considered to have favorable weather conditions for early voting voyages across the South China Sea.

Captain Nguyen Thanh Trung, commander of the TS-04 vessel, also noted that the weather in the early days of the early voting journey was relatively good, with favorable visibility. “However, we cannot be complacent. At sea, a strong wave or a large surge can compromise safety. We are determined to do a good job of preparing in all aspects, ensuring the safety of the ballot boxes and the polling stations. Because these ballots represent the voices of voters in the most challenging locations, so that people everywhere can exercise their right to self-governance,” he said.

Although this year's elections for National Assembly and People's Council representatives at all levels are taking place earlier than in previous years, the schedule for early voting on the Truong Sa Islands and the DK1 platform must be carried out immediately after the Lunar New Year, but preparations have been proceeding urgently. According to the plan, elections on the islands of the Truong Sa Special Zone ( Khanh Hoa province) will be held one week earlier than on the mainland.

Brigade 146, Region 4 of the Navy, and the Khanh Hoa Provincial Election Committee will transport ballot boxes from the mainland to the islands. Meanwhile, in Region 2 of the Navy, on the morning of February 26th, ships TS-04 and TS-21 (Squadron 1, Brigade 125, Region 2 of the Navy) departed, carrying ballot boxes to the southern continental shelf area to conduct early voting for the DK1 offshore platforms, patrol vessels, and fishermen operating at sea.

Colonel Le Hong Quang, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of Naval Region 2 and Head of Election Team No. 5, stated: "The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to the 11th Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, for the 2026-2031 term, is a particularly important political event for the country. Organizing two ships to carry out election duties at sea demonstrates the deep concern of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front, and affirms the close leadership and guidance of the Party Committee and the Command of Naval Region 2 in ensuring the voting rights and obligations of officers and soldiers performing duties at sea."

In the islands of the Truong Sa Special Zone, voters will exercise their right to vote directly at their workplaces and residences. In the southern continental shelf area managed by the 2nd Naval Region, in addition to polling stations at the DK1 platforms, patrol vessels on duty at sea and fishing boats of fishermen in the area will vote at polling stations on the TS-04 and TS-21 ships.

What is remarkable is that despite the extremely challenging conditions of polling stations on islands, offshore platforms, and patrol ships, everything was prepared with great solemnity, completeness, and adherence to regulations. Captain Ngo Cong Tuan, Political Officer on the DK1/9 offshore platform at Ba Ke shoal (Ho Chi Minh City), said that as soon as they received information about the early election, the platform quickly disseminated the information to officers and soldiers. With many supplies still lacking, the TS-04 and TS-21 ships will bring additional supplies to the platforms. On the TS-04 ship, each ballot sheet containing candidate information was carefully wrapped in nylon by officers, soldiers, and the election committee to prevent seawater from wetting it, and displayed prominently and publicly in designated locations for voters to cast their ballots.

The rekindling of faith

Major Nguyen Van Chinh, a professional military officer and medical staff member at the DK1/9 platform on the Ba Ke shoal, has participated in early voting at sea twice. In 2021, he was on duty at the DK1/14 platform. At that time, the waves were at level 4 or 5, and it took the election team nearly an hour to bring the ballot box and supplies up to complete the decoration of the polling area. This year, the weather conditions were favorable, and the preparation of the polling area proceeded quite quickly.

Chinh said that while elections on the mainland might be more colorful and crowded, the atmosphere on the offshore platform is no less solemn: "We still go to vote with the mindset of being very careful, considering everything thoroughly, and choosing a worthy candidate." If there is a difference, as he mentioned, the election on the offshore platform is quite quick. Everyone still has to participate in the election while ensuring they are ready for their duties.

Major Luu Ngoc Anh, Captain of ship 726, 128th Naval Squadron, Vietnam Navy, currently on duty in the Bach Ho oil field area, who participated in the election on board ship TS-04 on February 27th, said: “I don’t know what voting is like on shore, but voting while on duty at sea is very different, both in terms of the nature of the work and the emotions. But I still feel very proud that my vote was considered.”

Ngoc Anh further expressed, "When performing duties at sea, the first priority is to ensure the mission is accomplished, be prepared for all situations, and ensure safety before thinking about anything else."

Not only soldiers, but also civilian forces working at sea, and fishermen who spent long periods on offshore fishing vessels and couldn't return in time for March 15th, cast their votes. On the morning of March 1st, voters from the Hai An 68 vessel boarded the TS-04 vessel and completed their ballots. On the DK1 platform, meteorological and hydrological station staff and lighthouse station personnel also quickly exercised their rights and civic duties.

Mr. Le Duc Tho, an employee of the Ba Ke Lighthouse Station (East Sea and Island Safety Assurance Company), was the first voter to cast his ballot on the DK1/9 platform. Although he has spent nearly 20 years "battling" at lighthouses in the Truong Sa archipelago and on the DK1 platform, this was his first time voting at sea. Prior to voting, Mr. Tho had obtained information about the candidates through various channels and documents shared by the DK1/9 platform. He carefully reviewed the candidates' information and stated that he would choose those with experience and clear action plans.

Lieutenant Tran Viet Thinh, Deputy Captain of ship 661, Squadron 128, Vietnam Navy, currently on duty in the Bach Ho oil field area, expressed: “Participating in the election at sea is a great honor and source of pride for forces like us who serve at sea. These votes not only demonstrate our civic rights but also inspire us to be even more determined to fulfill our duties and firmly protect the sacred sea and islands of our Fatherland.”

According to Rear Admiral Tran Manh Chien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Naval Region 2, "Organizing early elections at sea demonstrates the profound concern of the Party, the State, and Ho Chi Minh City for officers, soldiers, and people serving in challenging conditions, while also clearly affirming the consistent viewpoint: Wherever they are, the rights and obligations of citizens to vote are fully, solemnly, and lawfully guaranteed."

PHUONG MAI - NINH CO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ngay-hoi-non-song-den-som-tren-bien-dong-post945863.html