As a loyal political and fighting force of the Party, the Homeland and the People, the VPA is fully aware of the significance and importance of the elections for deputies of the 14^th General Assembly and People’s Councils for 2016 – 2021 term. Successfully carrying out the elections will create a firm ground for promoting the construction, consolidation and perfection of a law-governed socialist state of people, by people, for people, and enhancing the effectiveness of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels in the next term.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia checking preparation for the election at a Naval unit (Photo: qdnd.vn)

In order to exercise a strong and unified leadership and direction over the election, on 20^th February 2016, the Central Military Commission issued the Directive 105-CT/QUTW and on 26 February 2016, the General Political Department issued the Instruction 309/HD-CT. These are grounds for units through out the Army to build their plans and consider this a focal work for the year 2016 with the following emphases:

First, continue to communicate, educate to raise the awareness of cadres, troops and people of the aims and importance of the elections. Propagation must be conducted on a regular basis, in a deep and widespread manner by a number of models, with diverse, interesting contents so that cadres, troops and people fully understand  the aims and importance of the elections. Besides, it is necessary to attach importance to propagating the fundamental points of the Law on Election, Law on the organization of the National Assembly, Law on the organization of local government, the 2013 Constitution, Directives, and Instructions of the Party, National Assembly, Government and functional agencies respectively. Thereby, to make cadres, troops and people aware that National Assembly and People’s Council elections is a focal work of the entire Party, people and Army; a deep and comprehensive political exercise for all citizens to exercise their mastership, choosing outstanding candidates for the National Assembly and People’s Councils.

Second, coordinate closely with localities to hold the election successfully. Units and agencies throughout the Army should continue to coordinate with localities to propagate and instruct cadres, troops and people so that they grasp election procedure, Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and Deputies to People’s Councils; requirements of merits and abilities of candidates, particularly political merit, moral, life style, educational background, capability and requirements for mission accomplishment of people’s representatives.

According to the Instruction 309/HD-CT of the General Political Department, Army units can either establish their own or together form one election position. Units ineligible to form an election position will join with locality where they are placed. For units in remote areas and islands which need early voting, commanders should actively communicate and report to local election committee and national election committee for approval.

Third, maintain strictly duty, combat readiness, and strengthen protection measures for the election. Besides training and combat readiness missions, units should coordinate with localities, particularly Public Security force, to build, practice and carry out plans for protecting and maintaining political security, social safety and order at election positions; timely identify and deter all plots and actions sabotaging the election. Therefore, party committees and commanders of units should uphold their responsibility, command the units to prevent any possible incidents, contributing to ensuring that voting day be truly a festive day of all.

Fourth, actively deter and defeat all plots and schemes of hostile forces and political opportunists aiming to sabotage the election. This election takes place amid both favourability and challenges. The biggest challenge comes from hostile forces and political opportunists who use democracy, human rights matters and difficulties and shortcomings of social management to incite, separate people and sabotage the election. For this reason, along with the whole political system, the Army should proactively deter and defeat all plots and schemes of hostile forces.

Upholding “Uncle Ho soldier” tradition and virtues in the election of deputies to the 14^th National Assembly and deputies to People’s Councils of 2016 – 2021 term, cadres and troops of the VPA should actively engage with the highest responsibility to make the election a success, contributing to building National Assembly and People’s Councils strong to make sound policies to successfully fulfill the 12^th Resolution of the Party, the cause of reform, constructing and protecting the Homeland in the new stage.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia

Member of the Party’s Central Committee

Deputy Director of the General Political Department, VPA