“There are no regulations to canvas through the Internet, but I personally
think that it is possible to make online electoral campaigns if candidates tell
the truth and don’t violate Vietnamese laws,” said Secretary General of the
Election Council Pham Minh Tuyen on the sideline of the last consultation
meeting on April 15.

Secretary General of the Election Council Pham Minh Tuyen

After the third (most recent) consultation meeting; what are
candidates of the National Assembly election allowed to do to canvas?

From May 3-22, candidates have the right to make electoral
campaigns under the law. They can meet constituents to speak out their
responsibility to the National Assembly and constituents if they win the
election.

Candidates are allowed to directly meet with constituents
and talk about their thinking on local television channels. State agencies are
responsible to organize meetings between candidates and constituents and
provide necessary information.

National Assembly candidates have a different social status
and economic conditions. How can we ensure the equality in electoral campaigns?

The Fatherland Front Central Committee has issued
instructions on canvassing activities to ensure the equality among candidates.
For example, the maximum number of meetings with constituents in a voting
precinct. Meetings between candidates and constituents are fundamentally
organized by the state to ensure the most convenient conditions for candidates.

What do you think about forms of canvassing, like materially
assisting people in the remote or isolated areas or canvassing through social
networks and blogs?

The law doesn’t ban candidates from making electoral
campaigns by different forms. If candidates are businesspeople and they are
able to do charity activities, I think the state encourages them to do so. Not
only candidates of the National Assembly election, but also every citizen are
encouraged to do charity by their legal income.

There are no regulations on canvassing through the Internet,
but I personally think that it is possible to make online electoral campaigns
if candidates tell the truth and don’t violate Vietnamese laws.

PV