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Self-nomination: Rights to democracy ensured in election
Self-nomination: Rights to democracy ensured in election
26/3/16
Vietnam will hold its parliamentary election in May 2016. The
three key positions of president, prime minister and chairperson of the
National Assembly will all be elected. But perhaps the most interesting aspect
of this election is the emerging group of self-nominated candidates. This
election, around 30 civil society activists are running for the National
Assembly.
These
self-nominated candidates are evidence that the National Assembly is accommodating increasing pluralism.
Many of these self-nominated candidates are not party members and some have
been detained for their participation in extremist demonstrations against China’s activities in the South
China Sea.
Vietnam revised its constitution in 2013, with changes having
taken effect on 1 January 2014. The new constitution allows for non-Party
candidates to stand for election to the National Assembly. State officials have
emphasized repeatedly that discrimination against independent nominees is strictly
prohibited by law.
Self-nominated
candidates have several opportunities
Former Vice
President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Le Truyen said that in 2011, he had
no difficulty nominating himself for the 13th National Assembly
election. Truyen says the increased number of self-nominated candidates for the
14th National Assembly proves democracy is working: “The higher
number of self-nominated candidates demonstrates the improvement in democracy.
If the self-nominated candidate respects the law and electoral agencies carry
their work according to the law, don’t discriminate, and exercise democracy and
equality, everything will go smoothly. I welcome all self-nominees”.
Legally,
those who are nominated by agencies and organizations and self-nominated
candidates are equal before the voters. The list of the candidates will be
printed alphabetically with distinction between nomination and self-nomination.
At meetings with voters before the election, local authorities are not allowed
to give any direction concerning candidate nominations. The Fatherland Front
will closely monitor all these activities to ensure fair competition between
candidates. Nguyen Tu Tuan is with the Thang Long Club, Hanoi: "It’s important that the
candidates, nominated or self-nominated, be responsible to the nation and to
the people. Our ultimate goal is building the nation and doing the best thing for
the people. A representatives of the people, we need to be cautious in speaking
to avoid causing chaos among the public”.
Meeting
the criteria of a NA deputy
In the 13th
NA election in 2011, there were 82 self-nominated candidates in 22 cities and
provinces. 15 of them were elected. Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland
Front Nguyen Van Pha says self-nominated candidates need to be aware of the
responsibilities of a NA deputy: “Self-nominated candidates need to
be serious, not just curious to see how democracy is exercised. Being serious
means you need to see whether you meet all criteria set by law. If you are
elected, can you do what you have promised? Both nominated and self-nominated
candidates need to build good relationships in their residential area. Many
self-nominated candidates fail because they cannot get support from people in
their locality”.
Self-nomination for the NA election shows that
constitutional rights are exercised in Vietnam. A candidate needs to meet
all criteria and be outstanding in terms of competence and morality to
represent the people in the NA or the People’s Councils./.
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All comments [ 10 ]
Independent candidates have been promised fair treatment in Vietnam’s upcoming general election of the National Assembly.
Each and every phase of the election is carried out in a transparent manner, and is open to public scrutiny. Favoring candidates nominated by certain affiliations is strictly forbidden, and any act of discrimination against any nominee is against the law.
I advise independent candidates to take the election seriously and not to nominate themselves “just for the sake of it".
Now no one can deny Vietnam human rights and democracy.
Candidates should lead an exemplary lifestyle and get on well with voters in their neighborhood, for it is them who will vote to approve his or her candidacy.
We should launch investigation to make clear those self-nominees for the general election in May who are backed by reactionary groups.
Some self-nominee are receiving financial support from “domestic and foreign reactionary groups”, and using social networks for their election campaign.
The unprecedented number of self-nominated independent candidates is reflective of political reforms enshrined in the 2013 constitution.
Some self-nominated candidates are being covertly financed by Viet Tan, a terrorist organization due to its past insurgent history.
I think Vietnam's election is more and more democratic and it is an obvious achievement.
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