President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his wife on May 23 participated in the launching ceremony for casting ballots for the election of deputies to the 15th NA and People’s Councils at  voting site No. 41 in HCM City’s Củ Chi District. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HCM CITY— President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his wife today participated in the launching ceremony of the election of deputies to the 15th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure at voting site No.41 under election unit No.9 in HCM City’s Củ Chi District.

They also offered incense at the Martyrs Memorial Temple in the district.

The President and his wife were the first to cast ballots at the voting site. HCM City Party Committee Secretary Nguyễn Văn Nên was the next to cast a ballot.

At 6 am, many voters throughout the city came to voting sites to cast ballots. They filled online health declaration forms, had body temperature checked, and washed hand with sanitisers before entering the voting sites. They also wore masks and kept a safe distance as required by the Ministry of Health’s regulations in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Fishermen in Cần Giờ District’s Thạnh An Commune anchored their boats near shore to go to the commune’s voting site.

Chợ Rẫy Hospital in District 5 collaborated with election team No.58 in Ward 12 to bring three ballot boxes to rooms of 1,274 patients and their relatives so they could vote.   

Chợ Rẫy Hospital in District 5 worked with election team No.58 in Ward 12 to bring three ballot boxes to the rooms of 1,274 patients and their relatives. VNA/VNS.Photo Đinh Hằng

District election teams were also bringing ballot boxes to houses of many seniors with health problems who could not go to voting sites.

According to the city Election Commission, more than 5.6 million voters in the city are expected to cast ballots. They will elect 30 of 50 candidates to become deputies to the 15th NA and 95 of 158 candidates to become deputies to the People’s Councils at all levels in the 2021-2026 term.

Voters in District 10's Ward 15 check ballot boxes before the election starts. VNS Photo Gia Lộc

As of 11 am, more than 2.6 million voters had cast ballots in HCM City, accounting for 46.8 per cent. 

The city has 3,618 people staying in quarantine areas and 1,042 at home.

A voter casts a ballot at voting site No. 94 in District 10’s Ward 15. VNS Photo Gia Lộc

After casting ballots, President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told the media that great national unity is the large issue that has received the most attention, directed by the Party and Uncle Hồ. The spirit of great national unity can be seen amid the natural disasters and floods that the country has faced, as well as amid wars and the country’s development process.

The President called on more than 69 million voters throughout the country to promote this spirit and select talented and ethical deputies.

Chinese-Vietnamese voter La Tiên, 92, who was the oldest voter at the voting site No.6 in Hóc Môn District, came to the site early to take part in the election’s opening ceremony. “I read the candidates’ biographies and action programmes carefully and voted for the best deputies.”

Nguyễn Quốc Hưng, 80, who came to the voting site No.94 in District 10’s Ward 15, said: “Many candidates are young and talented. They will contribute to develop the country and carry out tasks well.”

Bùi Thị Liêm, 69, of Thủ Đức City, whose husband was being treated at Chợ Rẫy Hospital, said: “It is convenient that the hospital’s staff and election team brought the ballot box to us. I am happy.”

Nguyễn Trương Gia Khánh, 21, of District 12, said that this was the first time he had cast a ballot. He read candidates’ biographies and action programmes many times to select the best deputies in the election. “I am very excited to cast a ballot. I hope they try their best to develop the country and pay more attention to health and education development.” VNS

Voters keep a safe distance at a voting site in Tân Bình District. VNS Photo