(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam’s elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term are of great significance, said Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior journalist and a senior research fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies in Jakarta.
 Young voters go to polling stations. (Photo: VNA) |
In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Indonesia, Anjaiah stated that despite the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, Vietnam’s election body made all preparations for the most important elections in an open, safe and transparent way on March 23.
Though Vietnam follows a one-party system, the elections will not be unanimous and people have the power to reject any candidate, he noted.
According to the scholar, the most laudable thing about the elections is a high representation of women candidates. At least 393 female candidates, or 45.3%, are vying in the elections. There are 185 candidates are from ethnic minority groups.
The National Assembly has been playing an important role in the transformation of Vietnam and its society and economy, he said, stressing it is the backbone of Vietnam’s economic and political reforms, and truly represents the aspirations of Vietnamese people.
Thanks to the quality and useful laws, which were enacted by the NA recently, today Vietnam has emerged as a dynamic country in Southeast Asia with rising exports, foreign direct investments and forex reserves, Anjaiah said. It is also on its way to become an upper middle income country soon, he added.
 Soldiers cast their votes in the May 23 elections. (Photo: VNA) |
Anjaiah stated that the National Assembly will play a strategic role in making suitable policies and relevant laws to sustain the high economic growth rate, attract more foreign direct investments, and contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharing the same view, Lye Liang Fook, Senior Fellow at Singapore-based ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, said that the new National Assembly will lead Vietnam in its next important development stage, which will focus on growth and innovation, digital economy, hi-tech manufacturing, and quality education and health.
He proposed Vietnam pay attention to cutting bureaucratic administrative procedures, training and re-training the labour force, addressing bottlenecks on infrastructure and stepping up the fight against corruption.