Vietnam Should Make Clear Self-nominees Backed by “Reactionary Groups”

Vietnam Parliament building in Hanoi

Vietnam Parliament building in capital city of Hanoi

Vietnam’s authorities should launch investigation to make clear those self-nominees for the general election in May who are backed by “reactionary groups”, said participants at the second mass meeting held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in Hanoi on March 17.

By Vu Quoc Ngu, May 17, 2016

Vietnam’s authorities should launch investigation to make clear those self-nominees for the general election in May who are backed by “reactionary groups”, said participants at the second mass meeting held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in Hanoi on March 17.

Earlier this week, a senior official from the Election Committee of Hanoi said some self-nominee are receiving financial support from “domestic and foreign reactionary groups”, and using social networks for their election campaign, however, he did not unveil any evidence to back his words. His words have been covered by state-run media.

As many as 100 self-nominees have registered to rally for seats in the country’s legislative body National Assembly in the 2016-2021 period. Of them, 47 came from Hanoi, 50 from Ho Chi Minh City and the remaining three came from Danang.

Veteran Major General Le ma Luong, a member of the VFF’s Presidency said such statement should not be publicized without solid evidence. Other self-nominees will be affected, he said.

Nguyen Tuc, another member of the VFF’s Presidency echoed, saying this statement will prevent other citizens from rallying for the country’s lawmaking body in the 14th tenure.

Many activists who want to compete for becoming country’s legislators, including Dr. Nguyen Quang A and Dr. Nguyen Xuan Dien from Hanoi have filled their petitions to the National Election Council to demand for launching an investigation on the accusation.

Meanwhile, participants of the meeting approved candidacy of 95 nominees who are members of the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam. All 19 members of the party’s Politburo are candidates for the coming general election scheduled on May 22.

The parliament in the next term will have 500 members, and the number of non-communist legislators may rise to 50 compared to four now.

Two months prior to the general election, the communist party already formed the structure of the parliament in the next tenure. They even selected the key posts of the government and other state agencies, including the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Supreme People’s Court.

The parliament in the 13th tenure will hold its last election on March 21-April 14 to formally approve the posts of president, the prime minister and the top legislators, with respective candidacies of Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and NA’s Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.