Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc speaks to local authorities during his two-day work trip to the province. — VNA/VNS Photo Chu Quoc Hung

ĐIỆN BIÊN (VNS) — Preparations for upcoming elections and measures for social and economic development are Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc’s top concerns, he announced during his visit to the northern province of Điện Biên.

Speaking to local authorities during his two-day work trip to the province, which ended yesterday, Phúc asked authorities to complete the list of applicants nominated to deputy posts in the 14th National Assembly (NA) and to the People’s Council as well as prepare for the second consultative conference and elections.

He requested thorough meetings with voters for comments, recommendations and complaints.

Regarding local social and economic development, the Deputy PM asked for detailed measures to solve current problems.

“The province needs to have routine steps in administrative reform, create favourable conditions for businesses and investment, and encourage start-ups among local people and enterprises,” Phúc said.

“Hunger elimination and poverty reduction should be considered the top priority of the province, especially in poor districts,” he said, adding that the province should also enhance the local quality human resources and eradicate obsolete practices.

The Government official urged Điện Biên to select some infrastructure projects for investment and boost the local tourism industry.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mùa A Sơn reported that the province gained an economic growth of 10.02 per cent in 2015, and the average income reached VNĐ23.2 million (more than US$1,000), which marked a 12.38 per cent year-on-year increase.

The number of poor households decreased by 4.56 per cent to 28.01 per cent, Sơn said.

Sơn said the province had been preparing for the upcoming elections in line with the law and quality requirements. The procedures were implemented safely and timely, he said.

The province has nominated 10 candidates for seats in the 14th NA, including both male and female candidates representing the ethnic groups of  Mông, Thái and Khơ Mú. There are also 91 candidates nominated for the provincial People’s Councils, of whom 38 per cent are female and 61 per cent are ethnic minorities.

There has been no self-nominated or independent candidate in the province so far.

Điện Biên will elect six candidates for seats at the National Assembly and 51 candidates for the provincial People’s Council.

Applications announced

In related news, Hà Nội and HCM City yesterday announced the first-round results of deputies’ applications to the 14th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for 2016-21.

The election council of Hà Nội received 87 applications for NA deputies between February 17 and March 13. Of those, 48 were self-nominated applicants while 40 others were nominated by organisations and individuals. There were 205 applications for the city’s People’s Council, including nine self-nominated applicants.

HCM City received 90 applications for NA seats, including 50 self-nominated applicants. Applications for the municipal People’s Council reached 203, and 28 were self-nominated.

Hà Nội and HCM City will elect 30 deputies to the 14th NA, according to the allocation of the NA Standing Committee.

The central city of Đà Nẵng has also announced a total 15 applications for NA deputies and 98 for People’s Council members. Of those, three and five were self-nominated, respectively.

Its neighbouring Quảng Nam Province also had 15 NA deputy applications and 104 People’s Council member applications, each with three self-nominated applications.

The central province of Nghệ An announced it received 38 applications for NA deputies and 240 for People’s Council members.

As regulated, Fatherland Front chapters at all levels will organise the second consultative conferences for elections on Friday. The list of candidates will be announced on April 27.

The election of deputies to the 14th NA and People’s Councils at all levels of the 2016-21 tenure will convene on May 22. — VNS