The National Election Council has provided information on what are democratic and lawful elections as well as the principle of secret ballot in the election of National Assembly deputies of the 16th term and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.
Accordingly, some people do not understand what democratic and lawful elections are. Regarding this content, the National Election Council said that an election considered democratic and lawful must ensure factors such as the election must be conducted according to the principles of universal, equal, direct and secret ballot.
It is necessary to ensure the right to vote, stand for election, and campaign for election. Specify cases of being deprived of the right to vote and stand for election; cases where the right to vote and stand for election is not exercised and cases of not participating in the election.
It is necessary to clearly stipulate the process and procedures for introducing candidates, consulting, re-electing, additional elections, and supplementary elections to ensure the selection of typical and worthy people to be National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies.
Along with that, ensuring the right of voters in the candidate's workplace (or residence) to comment and express their opinions on the trust in the candidate; clearly stipulating the organization, tasks, and powers of agencies, organizations, and units in election work.
The settlement of petitions, complaints, and denunciations about elections must be carried out seriously and quickly; violations of elections must be handled strictly and in accordance with the law.
Regarding the principle of secret ballot, the National Election Council said that this principle ensures that voters freely choose the person they trust without being affected by external conditions and factors. Accordingly, whoever voters elect, whoever they do not elect, is guaranteed to be secret.
Voters write ballots in private areas, no one is allowed to see, including members of the Election Team; no one is allowed to know and interfere in the writing of voters' ballots. Voters vote on their own in the ballot box.