Nguyen Ba Thanh, Da Nang Party Unit Chief

The Communist Party Unit of Da Nang City has proposed the city mayor be elected directly by citizens.

Under the proposal, awaiting approval from the Central Communist Party, Da Nang residents will vote for the People’s Committee chairman, a post akin to the city mayor, from at least three candidates nominated by the local administration, Nguyen Ba Thanh, Da Nang Party Unit Chief said last week.

The mayoral candidates will have to outline their platform, including how they will fund their promises and the benefits of their proposed policies, he said.

Thanh noted that the chair-elect will select the deputy heads for the city People’s Committee and the city’s district heads. The chairman will also be empowered to fire officials who don’t fulfill their missions, without seeking approval from the city’s legislative office.

Direct elections will “reform” the city administrative and ensure it runs more effectively, he said, adding: “If you promise something but then don’t carry it out in your term of office, don’t expect to be voted in for the next term.”

The National Assembly, Vietnam’s legislature, has decided to shelve a trial plan to allow direct elections for the post of People’s Committee Chairman at the commune level as it wrapped up the autumn session in mid-November.

Reported by Nguyen The Thinh