On the morning of March 27, Dak Lak Provincial Election Commission held a conference to review organisation of election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 tenure.

In opening remarks, comrade Cao Thi Hoa An, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council, Deputy Head of the Provincial Election Steering Committee as well as Chairwoman of the Provincial Election Commission, affirmed the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly alongside People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 tenure was a major political event and a broad democratic exercise across society. In Dak Lak, under close leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, supervision by People’s Council and decisive direction of the Provincial People’s Committee (PPC), the election was conducted in a democratic, lawful, safe and cost-effective manner.

Conference overview.

According to the report, the election achieved outstanding results with notable figures. A total of 2,269,724 out of 2,270,554 voters participated, reaching 99.96%; 87 out of 102 communes and wards recorded a 100% voter turnout. The province elected 15 deputies to the 16th National Assembly, 84 deputies to the provincial People’s Council and 2,440 deputies to commune-level People’s Councils, ensuring proper structure as well as composition. Earlier, early voting was successfully held on March 14 for armed forces units, with a 100% turnout.

The conference also identified challenges and limitations. Large geographical area, fragmented terrain along with dispersed population placed pressure on reviewing and verifying voter lists, particularly in remote and isolated areas with high population mobility. The first-time use of election management software, amid uneven digital infrastructure and a largely part-time, inexperienced grassroots workforce, also posed difficulties.

In his directive remarks, comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Election Steering Committee, highlighted five key lessons behind the election’s success. These included Party leadership; proactiveness alongside coordination; technology application and mass mobilisation; election communication as well as outreach; together with security and contingency preparedness.

Emphasising responsibility to complete post-election procedures, he urged all levels and sectors to immediately focus on five key tasks: verifying eligibility of elected candidates, issuing certificates to newly elected People’s Council deputies and reporting results at the first session. Simultaneously, preparations of content, personnel and logistics must be made for the first session to consolidate key leadership positions within local government apparatus.

He also called for close monitoring of public opinion and timely handling of emerging issues following result announcement. The finance sector was asked to ensure transparent and cost-effective settlement of election expenditures, while ensuring full support policies for grassroots personnel involved in the process. All documents alongside ballots must be securely sealed and archived.

Elected deputies are required to promptly finalise their action programmes for immediate implementation from the outset of the tenure.

Efforts must continue to promote patriotic emulation movements and turn election momentum into a driving force for the provincial socio-eco development as well as national defence - security targets in 2026.

Comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet together with comrade Cao Thi Hoa An presenting the PPC’s merit certificates to collectives for their outstanding achievements in election organisation and implementation.

On this occasion, the PPC awarded merit certificates to 96 collectives and 234 individuals for their outstanding achievements in organising along with implementing the election together with presenting commendations and gifts to 2 individuals with exemplary performance in local election work.

Translated by KHUONG THAO