At exactly 6:30 a.m. on March 14, at the hall of the Dak Lak Provincial Police (58 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Buon Ma Thuot Ward), the Election Team at Polling Station No. 43 in Buon Ma Thuot Ward officially opened the polling session while organising voting for officers and soldiers currently serving in the provincial police force, enabling them to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly alongside representatives of People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 tenure.

This is among 11 armed-force units across Dak Lak Province authorised by the National Election Council to conduct early voting, thereby facilitating officers and soldiers performing assigned duties.

The atmosphere at Polling Station No. 43 remained solemn, orderly and fully compliant with regulations. Following the flag-saluting ceremony, the head of the Election Team delivered the opening speech, announcing rules, procedures and several instructions for voters during the voting process.

Comrade Cao Thi Hoa An, member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Council and Chairwoman of the Dak Lak Provincial Election Committee, attending the opening ceremony together with delegates.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Major General Phan Thanh Tam, a member of the Standing Board of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Dak Lak Provincial Police, urged voters, before casting ballots, to carefully study the list together with the brief biographies of candidates, as well as eligibility criteria for deputies representing the National Assembly of Vietnam and People’s Councils. This preparation, he noted, would enable voters to make sound decisions when selecting individuals exemplary in both virtue and competence, truly worthy of representing the people’s will, aspirations and sovereign rights in the 16th National Assembly alongside People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 tenure.

In the presence of voters, the Election Team examined the main ballot box together with the auxiliary one, inviting two voters who were not candidates within the polling area to observe the procedure. Both boxes were subsequently sealed in line with prescribed procedures.

Immediately afterwards, voters proceeded in turn to exercise civic rights and obligations in a serious, orderly atmosphere. Voting followed a predetermined sequence, beginning with provincial police leaders, then the oldest voter, followed by professional divisions from the security sector, the police sector, as well as units responsible for force building, logistics-technical services and advisory work. Thorough preparation alongside systematic organisation helped ensure the voting process proceeded smoothly and safely.

Leaders of the Dak Lak Provincial Police casting their ballots.

According to the plan, voting at this polling area is scheduled from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on March 14. Participants comprise all officers and soldiers currently serving in 29 units under the Dak Lak Provincial Police, along with conscripts, police workers, contract employees and officials awaiting retirement.

To guarantee that every voter can exercise voting rights, aside from the main ballot box placed in the hall, the Election Team has arranged mobile auxiliary ballot boxes sent to several locations, including Detention Facility No. 1 and the Buon Ma Thuot sub-detention facility for voters who are officers and soldiers working there, together with detainees and individuals under temporary custody. Another auxiliary ballot box has been delivered to Hospital No. 1 for voters who are police officers undergoing treatment at the medical facility.

Besides Polling Station No. 43 in Buon Ma Thuot Ward, the provincial police have also organised Polling Station No. 28 at the hall of the Dak lak Provincial Police (457 Le Duan Street, Binh Kien Ward). This polling station serves voters who are officers and soldiers from units belonging to the provincial police stationed in Binh Kien Ward as well as nearby areas.

The democratic, responsible atmosphere at early polling stations organised by the Dak Lak Provincial Police clearly demonstrates the exemplary spirit of the armed forces in fulfilling civic rights and obligations, thereby contributing to the overall success of election day.

Translated by HAI LOAN