Dr. Phan Bich Thien: Returning from Europe to Join the Nation’s Election Day
	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 15): Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly Election: Important Milestone in Development Trajectory

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and to People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term concluded successfully, with a preliminary voter turnout reaching 99.69%.

Notably, all 34 provinces and centrally governed cities recorded voter turnout rates exceeding 99%, with four localities - Lao Cai, Hue, Tuyen Quang, and Vinh Long - reaching as high as 99.99%.

Members of Electoral Team No. 27 in Tam Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, conduct vote counting. (Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA)

Another notable feature of this election is the participation of many voters aged over 100. The oldest voter was Hoang Thi Tong, aged 119, an ethnic Mong resident of Lung Liem Hamlet, Yen Tho Commune, Cao Bang Province.

In Lao Cai Province alone, there were 173 voters aged 100 and above, including 31 men and 142 women. Two elderly voters personally went to the polls: Giang Nu Sua, aged 114 (born in 1912), and Sung Thi Du, aged 111 (born in 1915).

The Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils requires that vote counting be completed within no more than 24 hours after voting ends at each polling station.

Immediately after the completion of vote counting, preliminary results will be announced at the polling stations. These preliminary results include figures on ballots issued, ballots collected, valid and invalid ballots, votes received by each candidate (both percentage and absolute number), and voter turnout (which must exceed half of the total number of registered voters for the results to be recognized).

The official election results report, prepared after aggregation and verification, will include the list of elected candidates, the number of valid votes, the number of votes received by each successful candidate, and their respective vote percentages, ensuring compliance with electoral principles.

Following Election Day, the National Election Council will convene to certify the election results and confirm the eligibility of elected deputies. Under the regulations, the official results and the list of elected deputies to the 16th National Assembly must be announced no later than 10 days after Election Day (by March 25, 2026).

Based on the election results and the review and confirmation of the eligibility of elected deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils, the National Assembly Standing Committee will issue certificates to deputies of the 16th National Assembly, while local authorities will certify deputies to People’s Councils at all levels. These procedures are expected to be completed in early April 2026, prior to the first session of the 16th National Assembly.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, who also serves as Chairman of the National Election Council, stated that localities are currently compiling and thoroughly reviewing data for reporting to the Council. It is expected that on March 22, the National Election Council will convene to review and announce the election results.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, who is also Vice Chairwoman of the National Election Council, following the announcement of the election results, a nationwide conference is scheduled for April 3 to review the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. The conference aims to comprehensively assess outcomes, draw lessons learned, and propose measures to further improve the quality of future elections.

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