Story perspectives

2026 Elections: 864 Candidates for 500 Seats Amid Criticism

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The National Assembly and local People's Council elections will be held on March 15, 2026, with 864 candidates for 500 seats.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, says the vote reflects the people's right to choose.
Of the candidates, 45.37% are women and 21.76% come from ethnic minorities.
Critics say the elections are largely controlled by the ruling Communist Party, which fields nearly all candidates.

History

Historical Context

The first National Assembly elections in Vietnam took place on January 6, 1946, under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh. While 25% of candidates were women, the elections were tightly controlled by the Communist Party, limiting genuine democratic representation. This historical context highlights ongoing challenges in Vietnam's electoral process, where state control continues to overshadow the people's rights to choose their representatives.

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Story summary

The National Assembly and local People's Council elections will be held on March 15, 2026, with 864 candidates for 500 seats.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, says the vote reflects the people's right to choose.
Of the candidates, 45.37% are women and 21.76% come from ethnic minorities.
Critics say the elections are largely controlled by the ruling Communist Party, which fields nearly all candidates.

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