National Election Council allows 218 early voting areas

Following requests from 11 provinces and cities, 218 areas have been approved for early voting, primarily on islands, at sea, and in locations with unique travel conditions.

Le Quang Manh, Secretary General and Chairman of the National Assembly Office, announced on 26/2 that the National Election Council had issued a document permitting early voting in 218 areas. This measure ensures voting rights for citizens unable to participate on the general election day.

In Ho Chi Minh City, at Naval Region 2, two working groups boarded the Truong Sa 04 and Truong Sa 21 ships. They carried ballot boxes and election materials to organize early voting at sea. More than 400 voters, including personnel stationed at DK1 rig houses, those serving on Naval Region 2 ships, Flotilla 128, Flotilla 129, and fishermen operating in various fishing grounds, will cast their ballots.

In Khanh Hoa, local authorities had already delivered ballot boxes, regulations, voter cards, and candidate biographies to 21 early voting areas within the Truong Sa Special Zone.

Reports from 34 provinces and cities indicate that the country has 73.46 million voters across 72,195 polling areas. The 218 early voting areas thus account for approximately 0.3% of the national total.

Naval Region 2 Command, in coordination with the Election Committee of Long Son commune (formerly of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, now Ho Chi Minh City), organized early voting at the dock for two working groups on the Truong Sa 04 and Truong Sa 21 ships. *Photo: Naval Region 2*

The election for delegates to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term will be held uniformly nationwide on 15/3. Voters will elect 500 16th National Assembly delegates from a total of 864 officially announced candidates.

Voter lists are publicly posted at communal People's Committee offices and other public locations by the legally stipulated deadline. The Secretary General of the National Assembly urged local authorities to review and accurately update voter lists, ensure security and order, organize voting and vote counting objectively and lawfully, and announce results on time.