Vietnam News Today (May 23): Indian media highlight significance of Vietnam’s general elections
	Lao ambassador believes in success of Vietnam’s general elections
	Chinese Ambassador highly appreciates Vietnam’s preparation for elections

People read off the list of candidates prior to voting in Quang Nam province. Photo: VnExpress

Voting began on May 23 morning across around 80,000 polling stations nationwide in the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels in the 2021-2026 tenure.

The election is a great festival of the nation, a chance for voters to exercise their citizen right and duty in selecting capable persons representing the people’s will, aspiration and right to mastery in the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.

More than 69 million voters across the country are going to the poll to elect 500 deputies to the 15th National Assembly among 866 candidates, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported on May 23.

Catholic voters in Vinh Ninh ward, Hue city, caste their votes. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, 3,726 deputies will be selected among 6,199 candidates to provincial-level People’s Councils, 22,952 deputies to district-level People’s Councils among 37,468 candidates, and 242,312 deputies to communal-level People’s Councils among 405,244 candidates.

The elections take place amid complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, preparations have been conducted in a thorough manner to ensure safety and health for the people.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong came to Polling Station No 4 of Nguyen Du ward, Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung district, on May 23 morning to cast his vote.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong casts his votes into a ballot box at a polling station in Nguyen Du Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi. Photo: VnExpress

After the election opening ceremony, the Party leader, together with the 90-year-old Hoang Thanh Tuyen and the 19-year-old Hoang Tuyen Minh – the eldest and youngest voters in the polling station, and Buddhist monk Thich Dam Linh, cast the first ballots.

Following that, local voters also exercised their right and duty of citizens.

Talking to reporters of domestic and foreign press agencies after voting, the Party General Secretary, who is also a candidate of Hanoi in the National Assembly election, said he and other voters nationwide hope that all of those elected to the 15th parliament and all-level People’s Councils will do their utmost for the sake of the people and the country, fulfilling their responsibilities and duties in line with the Constitution and laws.

Thanking voters and the people for actively supporting the elections, he stressed that this is the 15th and the largest-ever general elections, with nearly 70 million voters who will select 500 deputies to the 15th legislature, nearly 4,000 deputies to provincial-level People’s Councils, and over 240,000 others to communal-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure.

He expressed his belief that the elections will be successful and truly a festival of all people.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has his body temperature checked and his hands disinfected prior to the voting process in Cu Chi Town, HCM City. Photo: VnExpress

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue casts his votes into a ballot box at a polling station in Hai Phong. Photo: VnExpress

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh casts his votes into a ballot box at a polling station in Ninh Kieu District, Cai Khe Ward, Can Tho city. Photo: VnExpress

Ethnic people in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau caste their voters. Photo: VNA

Detainees line up to cast their votes at the Hanoi police department. Also May 23, around 2,190 detainees in Hanoi were also allowed to cast their votes. In accordance with Vietnamese law, detainees and those undergoing drug rehab are allowed to vote for National Assembly and People's Council members. Photo: VnExpress

Voting would continue so until 7 p.m. Localities could decide voting time one their own, as long as it doesn't begin before 5 a.m. and doesn't end after 9 p.m, VnExpress said.

Over 45 percent of them are women, and over 21 percent are of ethnic minority. Over 25 percent are considered young candidates (aged 40 or less). 16 cities and provinces have commenced election day early in certain locations, including Ca Mau, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Quang Nam and Bac Ninh./.

Elections in Vietnam in the eyes of international friends: special political festival Any citizens who are 18 years old or more has the right to be fully informed, profoundly question, ask everything and self-decide to choose candidates ...

In Photos and video: Hanoi streets radiantly decorated ahead of Elections In anticipation for the Elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People’s Council, the streets in Hanoi have been brilliantly decorated with banners, ...

Palestinian Ambassador believes Vietnam’s elections will be a success The Palestinian ambassador said Vietnam will have a new legislature that meets the country’s requirements.