VietNamNet Bridge – The Home Affairs minister Monday reported to the National Assembly on a new policy which would abolish People’s Councils at district, ward and commune levels and allow people to directly elect their commune chair-people.

NA Deputy Hoang Van Toan

Many congressmen said they back this policy but that it was necessary to carefully weigh the method of implementation before approving it. Here are the opinions of some National Assembly deputies:

Hoang Van Toan, Vice Head of the National Assembly delegation of Vinh Phuc province:

Vinh Phuc is one of the provinces that are preparing to implement the trial election programme in 10 communes.

The close of district-level People’s Councils will surely confuse many people so Vinh Phuc will have to gradually promulgate this policy. The province will have to arrange new jobs for the current staff of the People’s Councils.

The second thing is the operating mechanism. While some districts will have no People’s Council, many others will still keep this body so the operating mechanism will be different. The districts that will keep People’s Councils will maintain the current mechanism while the others will have to work in a new mechanism.

Election of commune chair-people by local people is a completely new thing in Vietnam so we must be very careful. Direct election always has two sides. The upright, positive candidates may not be voted for because they may displease many voters. Meanwhile, candidates who are on the fence that don’t have direct contact with the people may be popular.

NA Deputy Vo Van Liem

Vinh Long plans to organise elections of commune chair-people in ten communes. This is a good policy, for voters will be able to choose capable commune leaders. The people’s choice is the best.

Many people are afraid of confederacy but it is not a big problem because the goal is electing a chairman who represents the commune’s people to run social and economic activities. People’s interests will be directly affected if they elect someone who is incapable.

It is necessary to tell voters this to avoid candidates who have the highest number of relatives winning the elections.

I support prestigious, capable and responsible candidates, who may or may not be Communist Party members.

It is necessary to have periodical votes of confidence but we must carefully consider the form of implementation because the election of commune chair-people will merely be done on a trial basis.

Pham Minh Tuyen, Chief of the National Assembly Deputy Working Committee:

I think it is inappropriate to give more power to commune chair-people who are elected by the people. Actually, in the current context of relationships in communes, chairmen of People’s Committees are still under the supervision of the People’s Council. We cannot give absolute power or more power to chairmen.

It is very democratic to elect commune chair-people but the leadership of the local Party Committee must be ensured.

Le Nhung