Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam: Election Preparations in Vietnam are Conducted Thoroughly

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- What are your impressions of the election preparations in Vietnam?

- It has been very interesting to observe the preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, particularly the careful planning by the organizers to ensure broad voter participation across Vietnam’s vast and diverse regions. As a result, all voters are provided with the opportunity to take part in this electoral event. Meetings between candidates and voters, together with the provision of comprehensive information about the election, have helped facilitate citizens in exercising their constitutional rights.

This will also be the first election to take place following the implementation of the two-tier local government model. This model further expands the role and scope of activities of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council members in promoting the country’s socio-economic development as well as that of each locality. At the same time, it places greater demands for continued efforts to consolidate and further advance the ongoing reforms.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. (Photo: Prensa Latina)

- How do you assess the process of organizing and selecting candidates for this election?

- Since the election date was announced, we have closely followed the organization of this process, particularly the consultation procedures and the selection of candidates, which demonstrate diversity in terms of generations, sectors, regions, and ethnic composition. At the same time, the quality of the nominated candidates is evident through their professional records, capabilities, and experience in undertaking these important responsibilities.

The establishment of more than 70,000 polling stations nationwide, along with a well-coordinated system of election facilities and the application of information technology in the organization of the process, has helped the authorities ensure that the election is conducted in accordance with the law, safely and transparently, thereby accurately reflecting the will and aspirations of voters.

- In your view, what significance does the direct election of representatives by the people have for promoting democracy and building a state of the people, by the people, and for the people in Vietnam?

- The broad participation of voters will serve as clear evidence of public support for the process of socio-economic and political reform that Vietnam is pursuing, as well as for the country’s development orientation along the socialist path. It also reflects the broad social consensus regarding the long-term strategic development goals set by the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam.

In the country’s new stage of development, National Assembly deputies and People’s Council members must demonstrate strong determination and firm resolve in implementing the adopted policies. At the same time, they should maintain close ties with the people, regularly engage in dialogue, listen, and exchange views in order to promptly grasp and accurately reflect the aspirations and needs of the public.

In a context where issues are becoming increasingly complex and diverse, and where there is a strong demand to effectively promote development tasks, the contingent of representatives must possess solid professional expertise, rich practical experience, loyalty to the Fatherland, and good moral qualities, always wholeheartedly devoted to serving the people.

Voters in Hoi Ray hamlet, Truong Son border commune, Quang Tri province, participate in early voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio-Television)

- According to the Ambassador, how will the newly elected National Assembly and People’s Councils contribute to Vietnam’s development in the new stage?

- The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels takes place at a time when Vietnam is entering a new stage of socio-economic development, with many important strategic goals and significant challenges in the years ahead.

Through the electoral process, representatives with sufficient competence and responsibility will be selected to make important contributions to implementing the resolutions of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, while continuing to advance the process of restructuring and improving the political system and carrying out far-reaching transformations toward a new development model characterized by rapid and sustainable growth.

Over the past decades, Vietnam has achieved remarkable accomplishments: overcoming the severe consequences of war, gradually transforming its socio-economic structure, reducing poverty, increasing incomes, and improving people’s living standards, while proactively integrating more deeply into the global economy. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the leadership of the Party, the strength of the great national unity bloc, and the active participation of the people. In this context, elections serve as an important channel through which citizens exercise their mastery and democratic participation in the country’s political life.

- What are your expectations for the role of the new Vietnamese National Assembly in promoting Vietnam-Cuba relations?

- The results of the elections of deputies to the National Assembly and members of People’s Councils will also have certain impacts on parliamentary relations, as well as on cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Cuba. Vietnam is currently strengthening its international integration and actively engaging in various activities in multilateral forums. This is clearly reflected in the field of parliamentary diplomacy as well as in cooperative relations between provinces, cities, and localities of the two countries.

For Cuba, we expect that once the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam is consolidated and its committees and parliamentary groups are established, both sides will continue to maintain and further promote the effective exchanges that have become a hallmark of parliamentary relations between the two countries, both bilaterally and at multilateral forums in which the two parliaments participate.

This year, the third meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee is expected to take place. This mechanism, established in April 2023, has become an important channel for promoting comprehensive cooperation, particularly in the fields of economics and legislation.

In recent years, the leaders of the two countries’ National Assemblies have maintained regular exchanges through mutual visits by high-level delegations. Committees of the two parliaments have also established various communication channels and shared practical experiences in law-making across many areas, as well as in parliamentary oversight activities.

In addition, the Friendship Parliamentary Groups of the two countries frequently exchange information and messages. The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Parliamentary Group has consistently demonstrated solidarity and support for the Cuban people’s struggle against the embargo, something that we deeply appreciate and are sincerely grateful for.

- Thank you very much!

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