A Hanoian receives election papers for the elections of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels in the 2016-2021 tenure. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has requested that democracy, fairness and safety be ensured in the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels in the 2021-2026 tenure.

PM Phúc asked the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to work with other agencies to direct news agencies to explain the significance of the elections, the right to vote and to stand as a candidate of citizens to officials, public servants, armed forces and people from all walks of life.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment should instruct the General Statistics Office to guide its provincial and municipal chapters to provide population data until December 31, 2020, to serve as a foundation to count the number of NA and People’s Council deputies in each administrative unit.

The Government leader directed the Ministry of Transport and the MIC to work on plans to ensure smooth transport and information during the preparation and organisation of the general elections, especially before and on election day on May 23.

The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security should have plans to deploy personnel to ensure political security and social safety and order and stay ready to respond to natural disasters.

The Ministry of Finance has to allocate funding for centrally-run agencies and localities to carry out election work.

PM Phúc also required the health ministry to continue keeping a close watch on the COVID-19 pandemic developments.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should work with agencies to prepare for possible disasters, while the Government Inspectorate has to guide asset declaration for candidates and promptly solve denunciations and complaints of citizens before, during and after the elections.

The Government leader asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to be responsible to ensure the progress of the general elections.

Meanwhile, People’s Committees at all levels will organise the general elections as directed by the National Election Council, the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Government and the Prime Minister, and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee. — VNS