After nearly one year of implementing the two-tier local government model, activities of People’s Councils at all levels across Dak Lak province have gradually operated in a stable and smooth manner. However, practical realities are also creating an urgent demand for comprehensive reform, stronger legislative capacity and more effective supervisory activities to meet responsibilities in the new context.

Delegates of Tan Tien Commune People’s Council casting ballots to elect key positions during the First Session of the Commune People’s Council.

In Tan Tien commune, operations of newly elected People’s Council have recorded significant improvements. Comrade Tran Hai Dang, Secretary of Commune Party Committee and Chairman of Commune People’s Council, said the new-term council consists of 24 delegates with sufficient qualifications and professional capacity to meet assigned tasks. As an outcome, operational quality has improved considerably, reflected through effective supervision of local projects and construction works.

Standing Board of Tan Tien Commune People’s Council instructed Commune People’s Committee to issue a formal request urging investors to adjust a low-quality rural transport project and carry out remedial measures before construction could continue.

In Tuy Hoa ward, reform of People’s Council operations has been closely linked with standardising procedures for issuing resolutions and improving capacity of elected representatives.

Member of Provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board, Secretary of Tuy Hoa Ward Party Committee and Chairman of Ward People’s Council, comrade Dao Bao Minh shared that over nearly one year of implementation, role of ward-level People’s Council has become increasingly evident. Many resolutions adopted during council sessions have closely reflected practical realities alongside aspirations of local voters. A notable point is that commune- and ward-level People’s Councils have reduced intermediary procedures. Therefore, for matters falling under their authority, ward-level councils can convene sessions, vote on resolutions and take responsibility for implementation independently. Appropriate decentralisation has enabled grassroots authorities to become more proactive in handling affairs while strengthening accountability at each administrative level...

Delegates of the 11th Dak Lak Provincial People’s Council voting to adopt resolutions at the First Extraordinary Session.

Alongside initial positive results, two-tier local government model implementation in People’s Council operations still faces numerous difficulties and shortcomings. Workload has increased substantially, while staffing and advisory personnel supporting commune-level councils remain limited. Several legal regulations relating to organisation and operations of People’s Councils under the new model remain inconsistent and insufficiently clear. In some sectors, delineation of authority between provincial and commune levels has caused confusion during implementation. Conditions ensuring operations at grassroots level also remain challenging, while information technology infrastructure and equipment serving digital transformation are uneven among localities.

Addressing these challenges directly and identifying key solutions for coming period, Vice Chairman of Provincial People’s Council, comrade Do Thai Phong emphasised that to adapt and improve operational efficiency under new model, Standing Board of Provincial People’s Council has identified several strategic priorities. These include reforming and enhancing operational quality of People’s Councils at all levels, with particular focus on supervision, field surveys, questioning activities and close monitoring of post-supervision recommendations. Priority will also be given to consolidating and improving quality of officials, civil servants and commune-level delegates through enhanced training in supervision skills, appraisal work, session management, digital competencies and practical problem-solving. Simultaneously, province will accelerate digital transformation and promote development of a “Digital People’s Council” model, while gradually building a shared database serving council operations. Authorities will also strengthen efforts to monitor public sentiment and promptly resolve legitimate recommendations and concerns raised by voters...

Translated by HAI LOAN