NA Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng and delegates at the meeting. — Photo VNA

HÀ NỘI Viet Nam News -— A two-day conference by the National Assembly (NA) Council of Ethnic Affairs opened yesterday in Hà Nội, which aims to improve the electioneering skills of ethnic minority candidates in the upcoming elections of the National Assembly and People’s Councils.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Council Hà Ngọc Chiến said the conference would help candidates from ethnic minority groups to enhance their skills in election campaigning, especially in building action plans to canvass voters.

While appreciating the Council’s initiative to organise the event, NA Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng said this was a meaningful activity to support ethnic minority candidates in improving their knowledge and awareness of theory and reality and their responsibilities as representatives of the people.

She said candidates should pay attention to learning about the Constitution, the laws on the NA and local government organisation, and also the standards required for NA deputies.

Phóng, who is also Vice Chairwoman of the National Election Council, noted that candidates should listen to and answer the queries of voters in a respectful and modest manner.

They also needed to increase public awareness of the policies of the Party, State, NA and Government for ethnic people, while showing their ethnic group’s cultural identities during their election campaigning.

Participants to the conference heard electioneering experience and basic knowledge related to building and presenting action programmes for candidates, which were shared by experts working in the people-elected agencies.

They were also introduced to the functions, responsibilities and rights of NA deputies and members of People’s councils, and policies and programmes for mountainous and ethnic minority areas.

Candidates have worked in groups, and practised their presentation and skill in answering press queries on television.

The election of the 14th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels will be held on May 22. — VNS