How the regime sets out self-nominated candidates?
Bac Giang, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Yen Bai, and Tuyen Quang are 5 provinces that have determined the numbers of self-nominated candidates for the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s election for the 2021–2026 term.
This information was said by Mr. Hau A Lenh, vice president and general secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front after the first consultation meeting.
Mr. Lenh said in Tuoi Tre newspaper: “Only 5 provinces and cities have defined a specific number of self-nominated candidates for the 15th National Assembly … The remaining 58 provinces and cities have yet figured out the number of self-nominated candidates.”
But a week after responding to Tuoi Tre newspaper, Mr. Lenh told the Thanh Tra newspaper about 5 localities where self-nominated candidates have been determined: “5 provinces and cities already got the numbers of self-nominated candidates. Some people in those localities have come to apply for documents but have not yet submitted them. When self-nominated candidates submit their dossiers, the exact number of self-nominated candidates for the National Assembly can be determined.”
In the end, what information of the secretary-general of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee is correct? Need to understand correctly about localities that have determined the numbers of self-nominated people?
Self-nominated candidates sent by the local authorities?
The interview with Mr. Lenh in the newspaper Thanh Tra is titled “Still widely open for self-nominated candidates.” This may be the patchwork article after his incomplete statement to the Tuoi Tre newspaper.
According to Vietnam’s electoral process, the results of the first round of the election process are only to determine the number of people nominated by the party and state agencies.
Mr. Lenh responded to the Tuoi Tre newspaper on February 23, 2021. It is the second day of candidates’ submission. However, according to the information he provided, five localities had a specific plan for the number of self-nominated candidates for the National Assembly, while 58 other provinces and cities did not. Meanwhile, the deadline for self-nomination is March 14.
Thus, Mr. Lenh’s statement on Tuoi Tre newspaper can only be understood that those five localities have decided to introduce people to play the game of self-nomination.
In short, based on Mr. Lenh’s information, it can be inferred that there are two types of self-nominated people. Ones are true self-nominated candidates and the other type of people selected by the regime to run for themselves. The latter are more likely to have been chosen by that locality to become official candidates.
Mr. Lenh affirmed that all the election courses of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels have not hindered self-nominated candidates, because it is the right of citizens. (Thanh Nien Newspaper)
The third consultative conference will be based on all the so-called structure, number, and composition of the candidates decided by the NA’s Standing Committee as well as based on the results of the voter conference, to officially acknowledge the eligible candidates or not. This is the toughest round for true self-nominated candidates.
Self-nominated people were eliminated although the conference of voters trusted the
This election for the National Assembly is no different from the previous one, from the formal process to the informal ways to decide on the selection and elimination of candidates. Just look at the results of the previous National Assembly candidates, you can also predict the results this time.
In the previous election, the country had 154 people applying for self-nomination locally, of which 48 in Ho Chi Minh City and 48 in Hanoi.
After the third consultation conference, 95% (46/48) of self-nominated candidates in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi were eliminated. Each city has only two self-nominated people on the official list of the candidates.
Progress in Hanoi has shown that self-nominated people, no matter how much confidence they have at their place of residence and work, maybe eliminated by the local election councils before the election takes place.
Specifically, in the previous election, out of 48 self-nominated candidates in Hanoi, up to 29 self-nominated people were not trusted at the voter conference and 14 others automatically applied for withdrawal. The remaining 5 people self-nominated fully qualified as official candidates. But in the end, 3 out of 5 people were dropped in the third consultation conference.
At that time, Ms. Le Thi Kim Oanh, vice chairman of the Hanoi Fatherland Front Committee, told VnExpress that 5 self-nominated candidates were eligible to be official candidates. However, only two were allowed to be included in the list of the final official candidates.
Among the rejected candidates, there are independent candidates such as journalist Tran Dang Tuan, chairman of the board of directors, general director of An Vien program production company. Many people know him through the famous charity project called “Rice with meat” specializing in providing nutritious meals for poor children in disadvantaged localities.
Before that, at the conference to gather voters’ opinions at his residence and working place, Mr. Tuan was 100% trusted.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
