Fishermen cast their votes

May 22, 2016 - 11:00

Nearly 1,500 voters in Mân Thái ward in Sơn Trà District cast their votes for deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils this morning.

Chairman of the Thọ Quang Ward People’s Committee Võ Đình Công approached a local fisherman to give detailed instructions on the voting process. — VNA/VNS Photo
Viet Nam News

ĐÀ NẴNG – Nearly 1,500 voters in Mân Thái ward in Sơn Trà District cast their votes for deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils this morning.

Of 11,000 people living in the ward in Sơn Trà peninsula, some 30 per cent of these residents are believed to be living in poor conditions.

Also today, over 4,000 fishermen living in the ward docked their boats at Thọ Quang fishing port so they could vote.

Fisherman Trần Văn Chiến, 49, said he completed his day’s fishing about 4am so he could return to vote.

“I earn my living from inshore fishing along the coast of Mân Thái – a defunct ancient fishing village in Đà Nẵng City. I cast my vote for the eligible candidates with a hope that they would help improve living standards and incomes for fishermen,” Chiến said.

“We are still at risk against disasters and pollution in the sea that resulted in mass fish deaths in April. We (fishermen) earn every coin from our daily sea trips. It is hard work and it’s a job with an unsteady income,” Chiến noted.

He said fishermen suffered terrible losses due to a mass kill-off of fish in April, and many of them had fallen into debt because fish were sold at the lowest prices.

Chiến hopes the vote for the 2016-21 term will help economic development in the central city, and bring a brighter future to fishermen seeking to escape from poverty.

The 49-year-old fisherman noted that preparations for the election were adequate.

Nguyễn Đình Thi, an official from Mân Thái ward’s organising committe, said most fishermen arrived home last night so they could vote on time.

He added that some fishermen sailed back to sea after voting. – VNS

 

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