Major news agencies around the world on May 22 covered the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils at all levels for 2016-2021, saying this important political event reflects Vietnam’s democracy.

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, over 69.265 million Vietnamese voters nationwide are casting their votes to elect deputies to the 14th National Assembly and members of all-level People's Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure.

At a polling station in HCM City

It said the election started at 7 a.m (local time) at 91,476 constituencies across the country on May 22. As many as 500 deputies will be elected to the 14th NA of Vietnam out of 870 candidates.

Among the figure, 339 candidates are female, accounting for 38.97 percent while 204 candidates are from ethnic minorities, making up 23.45 percent, according to the list of candidates released by the National Election Council (NEC) in late April.

Meanwhile, the UK-based news agency Reuters also reported that some 69 million Vietnamese are registered to vote to choose representatives for a 500-seat National Assembly.

It quoted Nguyen Hanh Phuc, NA Secretary General and Chief of the National Election Council’s Office, as saying that all 870 candidates would be treated equally, including those who are not Party members and had nominated themselves to run as independents.

He affirmed that all Vietnamese people have right and responsibility to vote and build the country, said Phuc.

The Voice of America (VOA) and France’s AFP news agency also highlighted Vietnam’s general election as a big festival of the Vietnamese people from all walks of life.

Source: VNA