Hanoi (VNA)﷽ – National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man has called for extensive public consultation on amendments to the 2013 Constitution from May 6 to June 5.

He urged the Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) to ensure the process is scientific, democratic, substantive, transparent, and open, with a focus on gathering feedback from local communities in line with the Law on Grassroots Democracy. Delivering a thematic report on Constitutional and legal reforms, and orientations for the elections of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure at the national conference in Hanoi on April 16 to disseminate the Resolution adopted by the 11th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, he outlined proposed amendments to the Constitution, which focus on regulations governing the VFF and socio-political organisations, aligning with efforts to streamline the political and administrative apparatus for greater efficiency; and facilitating a two-tier local government model. During the constitutional amendment process, he underscored the need to enhance decentralisation and delegation of power, as Party General Secretary To Lam has repeatedly stressed: “What is assigned to localities must be done by localities, and they must take full responsibility”. The amendment process, including revisions to relevant laws and resolutions, must be finalised by June 30, with the new legal framework effective from July 1. Communal-level administrative units are to be reorganised and operational by August 15, and provincial-level units by September 15. He announced that the elections of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with the new legislature's first session set for April 6, 2026. A key innovation is the integration of modern technology in the electoral process, including digital voter registration, candidate list publication, and result announcement. For the 16th NA, the projected number of deputies is 500, with at least 40% serving full-time, 10% aged under 40, 30% re-elected, 35% women, and 18% from ethnic minorities. For People’s Councils, non-Party members will constitute at least 10%, those under 35 at least 15%, re-elected deputies below 30%, and women at least 35% of candidates. Ethnic minority representation will reflect local demographics.

Candidate qualifications for both the NA and People’s Councils remain consistent with past elections but prioritise expertise in science, technology, and formal legal training. The Politburo has directed Party committees to develop detailed plans to ensure a successful election process, with the municipal and provincial Party committees establishing Election Steering Committees to oversee operations from provincial to communal levels. The Party committees of the NA, Government and the VFF, National Election Council, and all-level Party organisations will issue implementation plans and provide clear guidance. Chairman Man affirmed the legislature’s commitment to robust reforms and accountability to the Party Central Committee, its Politburo, the Secretariat, voters, and the public. The NA’s Party Committee will lead efforts to fully implement the 11th plenum’s Resolution, collaborate with the Government’s Party Committee, NA committees, and Party group of the NA delegations to ensure the success of the 15th legislature’s upcoming 9th session, he said./.