According to the government report, the plan to eliminate the People’s Council at those levels would be first trialed in 10 provinces and cities.

The government also proposes in the draft plan to overhaul the election procedure for the post of People’s Committee Chairman at the commune level.

The suggested revision allows citizens to vote for anyone to become chairman of their commune’s People’s Committee.

Currently, the Vietnam Fatherland Front – a political coalition organization representing all classes, social strata, ethnic groups, religions and overseas Vietnamese – holds the power to select candidates at the commune level and citizens can only vote for these chosen candidates.

Residents of 385 communes in 39 provinces and cities will try out the new voting procedure, according to the government report.

However, Chairman of the NA’s Law Committee Nguyen Van Thuan cautioned that such an expansive pilot plan may derail administrative management due to the sudden change to the political structure.

While submitting that administrative renovation is necessary, Thuan called on the government to outline possible problems in allowing people to vote directly for commune-level leadership.

The NA’s Economy Committee Chairman Ha Van Hien concurred: “The parochial sense of loyalty for people in different hamlets, villages, and even families may influence their votes.”

Hien requested that the government work out suitable procedures to prevent such partiality.

At the end of the meeting Thursday, the NA’s Law Committee concluded that “the pilot plan does not provide a breakthrough in administrative renovation.”

The NA is the highest representative body of the people and the only organization with legislative powers in Vietnam.

Reported by Xuan Toan