Hà Thị Nga, Vice President and Secretary General of the VFF Central Committee. VNA/VNS Photo

To date, all preparations for the election have been carried out on schedule and in accordance with regulations. The Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) has played a key role in consultations and the nomination of candidates, organising voter meetings and overseeing the election process.

Hà Thị Nga, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organisations, and Vice President and Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, spoke to the press about these issues.

How do you assess the progress of election preparations led and coordinated by the Việt Nam Fatherland Front nationwide?

The Việt Nam Fatherland Front plays a particularly important role in elections to the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. Its responsibilities include conducting consultation processes to select and nominate qualified candidates for the National Assembly and local People's Councils; raising public awareness and encouraging citizens to fully exercise their rights and responsibilities as voters; organising and guiding voters to monitor the entire election process; coordinating inspections and supervision of election preparations at both central and local levels; and creating conditions for people to directly participate in oversight through voter meetings in residential areas and workplaces, voter list postings and election campaigning activities.

Over the past period, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front has focused on implementing a range of important tasks. These have included developing guidance documents and providing support to local authorities so that they can proactively organise election-related activities. Following guidance from the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, Front committees at all levels have worked closely with Party committees and local authorities, while making full use of the coordinating role of election councils, to organise consultation rounds in accordance with legal procedures and regulations, thereby selecting and introducing a list of candidates with an appropriate structure and composition.

Immediately after the consultation conferences, Fatherland Front committees at all levels coordinated effectively in organising voter meetings for candidates across all localities nationwide.

These activities were conducted in accordance with regulations, ensuring democracy and transparency, while providing opportunities for candidates to present their action programmes and for voters to exchange views and express their opinions. This has helped voters gain additional information to choose and elect worthy representatives.

Based on our observations, we have received very positive feedback from local authorities, citizens, voters and members of organisations regarding candidates' presentations of their action programmes during voter meetings. This demonstrates that the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels has seen significant and noticeable improvements.

This reflects the proactive engagement and determination of Fatherland Front committees at all levels in creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, confidence and optimism among the public and voters regarding voter meetings where candidates present their action programmes. During our visits to localities to monitor preparations, we observed active and methodical participation from Party secretaries, village and residential group leaders, heads of Front working committees and leaders of socio-political organisations.

In particular, local Fatherland Front committees have performed well in monitoring public opinion and focusing on communication and mobilisation efforts so that every citizen understands their rights, responsibilities and obligations in the election process, thereby helping to ensure the election of representatives who genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people. All of this demonstrates a strong sense of readiness for the nation's great festival, Election Day for the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels.

Since coming together under the common umbrella of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, how have socio-political organisations contributed to voter outreach and mobilisation efforts, particularly in border areas, islands and localities with unique conditions?

Given the broad representative nature of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, Front committees and socio-political organisations at all levels have focused extensively on communication and mobilisation activities.

In remote, disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas, as well as localities with large religious communities, the Front has prioritised the role of reputable community figures and religious dignitaries in encouraging public participation. These efforts have helped raise awareness among voters and local residents about the significance and importance of the election, encouraged voters to fully exercise their rights and fulfil their civic duties, and strengthened public consensus and confidence in the electoral process.

At the same time, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations have stepped up grassroots activities aimed at improving public awareness and promoting community cultural values. They have also supported livelihoods and provided assistance to residents following the Lunar New Year, particularly in border and island areas and localities affected by storms and floods. These practical activities have helped build momentum, reinforce public confidence and raise expectations for elected representatives in the next term.

To ensure Election Day is conducted democratically, lawfully and effectively, what key tasks is the Việt Nam Fatherland Front focusing on?

Ahead of Election Day on March 15, Fatherland Front committees at all levels are continuing to review voter lists and strengthen communication efforts so that voters and citizens fully understand their rights, responsibilities and the honour of participating in the election, and cast their ballots fully, on time and with the highest sense of responsibility.

At the same time, Front committees are promoting their role in social supervision and oversight by monitoring election preparations and organisation to ensure compliance with legal regulations. They are continuing to coordinate inspections and supervision of election preparations at the local level, particularly the posting of voter lists and the publication of candidate lists and biographical summaries, ensuring that information is complete, transparent and publicly accessible.

We are also strengthening efforts to monitor developments at the grassroots level and public opinion so that timely recommendations can be made to Party committees, authorities and election councils at all levels. Particular attention is being given to encouraging all sections of society to fulfil their civic responsibilities and participate in the election in accordance with the law, helping to ensure that Election Day truly becomes a nationwide celebration of democracy. VNS