Overcoming dangerous mountains to the polling station
Although the 3 early elections will not officially take place until March 14, from early morning March 13, the working delegation of the Vinh Son Commune Election Committee (Gia Lai), election team No. 1, set off to O2 village to final check the preparation stages before voting. Lao Dong Newspaper reporters followed the working delegation to this special polling station.
Crossing more than 6km of steep mountain passes, the group arrived at the O2 suspension bridge area - the starting point for the arduous journey into the village. From here, everyone continued to overcome about 6km of the only road along the mountainside, with steep slopes, an inclination of 30-40 degrees, slippery and dangerous.
The entire road, only about half has been paved with concrete, the rest is mainly muddy soil. No matter which section, the steep slopes are always potentially risky, just one staggering step can lead to unpredictable consequences.
Throughout the journey across the mountain to O2 village, the cold of the highlands accompanied by drizzle made the distance seem longer. Many people in the group were tired and had to rely on modified motorbikes, leaving only iron frames, to support them in overcoming the slope.
However, sitting on "iron horses" in the middle of the mountain is also not pleasant at all. Every time the car accelerates to overcome the slope, the person sitting behind seems to be lifted up, precarious between the deep abyss and cliffs, the feeling of chills follows throughout the journey.
After nearly half a day of crossing the forest, with the support of modified motorbikes, the working group finally set foot in O2 village.
As soon as he arrived, Mr. Dinh Hoai Duc - Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council, Chairman of the Election Committee of Vinh Son commune - directly inspected the preparation for the election at election team No. 1.
Mr. Dinh Hoai Duc said that the preparation for the polling station in village O2 has been thoroughly implemented. The transportation of ballot boxes, election documents and the arrangement of service forces all require walking for many hours through the forest. Up to now, all stages have been completed in accordance with regulations, ready to ensure that the election takes place safely, democratically, and in accordance with the law.
Hoping for grid electricity, phone waves
The entire O2 village currently has 57 households with more than 200 people, mainly Ba Na ethnic people, including 131 voters.
Due to the difficult terrain, the lives of people here are still lacking in everything. Essential needs such as "electricity, roads, schools, stations" are available but only at a temporary level, not yet able to fully meet the living and production needs of the people.
Currently, all households in the village have been supported with solar power systems. However, this power source is only effective on sunny days, and when it rains, the electricity becomes flickering, intermittent, not enough to use.
The source of domestic water for people is mainly led from streams and creeks in the forest. It is not said to be the rainy season, but every dry season, people have to save every can of water in a state of shortage.
Before the election day, people in the village all expressed their excitement when the State cared for and created conditions to exercise citizens' rights, directly selecting delegates to represent their will and aspirations.
Mr. Dinh Van Hiep (born in 2000, residing in O2 village) shared that the road to the village is far and difficult, but for many days, the election team, officials and leaders of the commune have still crossed the forest to go to the polling station for voters in the village, making people very touched.
Officials hugged the ballot boxes and climbed to the place, sweating profusely," Mr. Hiep recounted.
Eagerly waiting for voting time, Ms. Dinh Thi Nghieng (born 2003) said that people in the village mainly live on cultivation and animal husbandry, so life is still very difficult and lacking.
I just hope that the elected delegates will pay attention to investing in essential living conditions such as national grid electricity, telephone waves, domestic water,... so that people can access minimal amenities such as downstream, life is less isolated, children and grandchildren have better learning conditions,... and gradually escape the scene of isolation in the great forest," Ms. Nghieng expressed.
According to statistics, Gia Lai province has more than 2.5 million voters. The locality has identified 2,179 voting areas and established 2,179 election teams to serve the election of National Assembly deputies of the 16th term and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.
