In the article "The Significance of the General Election" published in the newspaper Cuu Quoc No. 130, on December 31, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated: "The general election is an opportunity for the entire nation to freely choose talented and virtuous people to shoulder the responsibilities of the country. In the general election, anyone who wants to serve the country has the right to run for office, and every citizen has the right to vote... therefore, the general election means freedom, equality, democracy, and unity..."
And one day before the General Election, on January 5, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh issued an appeal to the nation to go to the polls: "Tomorrow is a day that will lead our nation onto a new path... it is the first day in Vietnamese history that our people begin to enjoy their democratic rights... Tomorrow, our people will show the soldiers in the South that: On the military front, the soldiers use guns and bullets to fight the enemy. On the political front, the people use their votes to fight the enemy. A vote has as much power as a bullet... Tomorrow, all of you voters must remember to go to the polls. Tomorrow, everyone should happily enjoy the rights of an independent and free citizen."
On January 6, 1946, the first National Assembly general election was successfully held with a voter turnout of 89%; 333 representatives were elected, of which 87% were workers, farmers, and revolutionary fighters, 10 were female representatives, and 34 were representatives from ethnic minorities. President Ho Chi Minh was elected with a very high number of votes, 98.4%.
The victory in the General Election marked a milestone in the maturity of the Vietnamese revolutionary state, ushering in a new era in which our country had a unified National Assembly and Government, a progressive Constitution, and a fully legitimate system of government representing the Vietnamese people in domestic and foreign affairs.
Over 80 years and 15 terms, the National Assembly has continuously developed and built a solid position in the hearts of the people. It has effectively fulfilled its role as the highest representative body of the people and the highest state power organ of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The National Assembly has excellently completed its constitutional and legislative tasks, producing five Constitutions; hundreds of laws, codes, and resolutions have been promulgated, creating a comprehensive legal basis for all fields as well as for the task of building and defending the Fatherland. The National Assembly has also regularly carried out its oversight function, promptly identifying and proposing solutions to major issues, limitations, and shortcomings in socio-economic life. Issues concerning personnel, organizational structure, state budget, national defense and security, foreign affairs, ethnic groups, religion, etc., have been carefully considered, and many appropriate policies have been issued to meet practical requirements.
During the 15th National Assembly term alone, the legislative work of the National Assembly left a strong mark, with historically significant decisions. For example, at the Tenth Session, the National Assembly considered and passed 59 laws and normative legal resolutions, accounting for more than 40% of the total number of laws and resolutions passed by the National Assembly during the entire 15th term.
The development journey so far, as affirmed by General Secretary To Lam, has been one of steadfastness, creativity, and continuous innovation. From the historic general election on January 6, 1946, the first democratic election in our country's history, the National Assembly resolved the most important national issues, namely adopting the Constitution and establishing the legal foundation for an independent state. The National Assembly also decided on major policies and guidelines; exercised supreme oversight over the activities of the state apparatus; and, through parliamentary diplomacy, contributed to enhancing the nation's standing in the international arena.
It can be seen that the development of the National Assembly is a continuous process of inheritance, constant innovation, and improvement in both organization and operation, meeting the requirements of each stage. And the next step, according to National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, is to continue building the National Assembly into the highest representative body of the people, representing the will and aspirations of the people... Innovating thinking, perfecting methods and processes for lawmaking to ensure professionalism, science, timeliness, and effectiveness. Enhancing the capacity, responsibility, and quality of decision-making on important national issues, exercising supreme oversight over the activities of the State, and meeting the requirements of rapid and sustainable national development in the new era.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/xay-dung-vi-the-vung-chac-trong-long-dan-10402699.html
