Two naval ships set sail for the southern continental shelf on Monday to help the forces and fishermen working there cast their votes on the National Assembly (NA) and People’s Council deputies earlier than scheduled. — Photo nld.com.vn

BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU — Two naval ships set sail for the southern continental shelf on Monday to help the forces and fishermen working there cast their votes on the National Assembly (NA) and People’s Council deputies earlier than scheduled.

The ships left the wharf of Brigade 171 in Vũng Tàu in the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu. They will oganise the early election at 47 locations from the waters off the coast of Bình Thuận Province to that of Cà Mau Province for forces and fishermen on the southern continental shelf.

Colonel Lê Đình Việt, vice chairman of the High Command’s inspection committee and head of the poll workers’ team, said the list of candidates and their brief biographies will be publicised for the constituents to consider. The ships are set to travel back and arrive on the mainland on May 20. The votes will be counted at the same time as those cast on election day, May 22.

Meanwhile, the National Election Council has allowed early election of deputies to the 14th legislature and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 tenure at Trường Sa Island District in Khánh Hòa Province.

The early election will be conducted at Trường Sa Town and in the two island communes of Song Tử Tây and Sinh Tồn on May 15, one week ahead of the national Election Day. 

Ngô Truyện, director of the provincial Internal Affairs Department and a permanent member of the provincial election committee, said that the early election would ensure that ballots on islands would be transported to the mainland when the provincial ballot check is conducted.

Trần Hoài Giang, a commissary officer on Đá Lớn B island, said that preparations for the election were nearly complete. 

Lieutenant Colonel Đỗ Thế Tuyến, chairman of the People’s Committee of Trường Sa Town, said the election on the island would be held the same as on the main land. 

The town has also prepared ballots for fishermen working offshore who won’t be able to return to the town the day of the election. — VNS