Vietnam’s non-Party lawmakers to account for less than 10%

Non-Party lawmakers at the Vietnam’s National Assembly for the next term likely varies around 5-10%.

Lawmaker Duong Trung Quoc at a National Assembly's session. Photo: Quan Minh/Zing

According to a resolution issued by the National Assembly (NA)’s Standing Committee, about 25-50 out of 500 lawmakers for the 2021-2026 term are those coming outside the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Pham Van Hoa, member of the NA’s Legal Committee, said it’s necessary for non-Party candidates to be elected to the legislative body. Qualified people should be facilitated to take part in the law making process.

However, those people must meet requirements of political will, code of ethnic, knowledge, working position, and age together with being aware of the Party’s directions, Hoa said.

Nguyen Tuc, member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Presidium, said non-Party lawmakers will help boost democracy. He noted that non-Party lawmakers are normally straightforward and constructive and have good sense of responsibility.

Luu Binh Nhuong from the NA’s Standing Committee said qualified non-Party people should be encouraged to become lawmakers with a focus on those representing political and social organizations as they are good at disseminating policies and supervising the law enforcement at grassroots level.

There should be no discrimination on the participation of non-Party members as experience has proved that many non-Party lawmakers have contributed a significant part to the parliament’s activities.

Famous historian Duong Trung Quoc is an example, Nhuong stressed. Lawmaker Duong Trung Quoc has participated in the law-making body from the XI to XIV terms or from 2002 to 2021.

In the lawmaker structure for the XIV term, female deputies might account for 35%, those from ethnic minorities make up 18%, and about 10% deputies are aged under 40.

To become legislators, candidates need to overcome three consultation meetings held in February, March, and April.

The national election of lawmakers and representatives of the People’s Council at all levels is scheduled to be held on May 23, 2021.