The role of voters in the election of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies at all levels

Abstract

Voters are the supreme holders of state power, exercising the delegation and control of that power through elections. In the process of building the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam’s rule-of-law state, fully promoting the People’s mastery through the electoral mechanism is of particular importance. This article analyzes the theoretical foundations of voters’ role in elections of deputies to the National Assembly and to People’s Councils at all levels, and also assesses electoral practice in Viet Nam in recent years. On that basis, the article proposes improvements to electoral laws and mechanisms toward greater openness and transparency and enhanced competitiveness; expanding opportunities to stand for election; improving the quality of election campaigning and information provided to voters; and establishing appropriate mechanisms for supervision and feedback so as to strengthen voters’ central role.