On the morning of 8/3, military personnel, soldiers, and residents on Sinh Ton Island (Truong Sa Special Zone) cast their ballots for delegates to the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. This location is one of 20 areas within the special zone that conducted elections one week earlier than the rest of the country.

Military personnel, soldiers, and residents in Truong Sa Special Zone participate in the election. Photo: Duc Thu.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Tuong, commander of Sinh Ton Island and head of polling station number 7, the early election ensures the overall national schedule and meets practical demands for forces protecting maritime sovereignty.

Beyond these 20 early polling stations, Truong Sa Island's main polling area will hold its election on 15/3, coinciding with the nationwide schedule.

Local authorities handed over ballot boxes, regulations, voter cards, and candidate biographies to early polling areas in Truong Sa Special Zone. Photo: Duc Thu.

Truong Sa Special Zone spans approximately 500 km2, located to the east and southeast of Vietnam's sea. The island closest to the mainland is about 250 nautical miles (over 450 km) from Cam Ranh. In recent years, the special zone has primarily focused on developing its marine economy, featuring numerous boat shelters and fishing vessel logistics services. Additionally, the special zone also promotes scientific research, healthcare, and cultural activities for military personnel, civilians on the islands, and fishermen operating in the Truong Sa fishing grounds.

This morning, 2,182 residents in Tho Chau Special Zone, a frontline island in the Southwest Sea located over 200 km from the mainland, also cast their votes for delegates to the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels.

Residents of Tho Chau Special Zone cast their ballots on the morning of 8/3. Photo: Duong Dong.

Tran Quoc Giang, Vice Chairman of the Special Zone People's Committee and also Vice Chairman of the Election Committee, stated that organizing the election seven days earlier than the rest of the country is not merely a logistical solution due to geographical distance, but also holds significant strategic importance for the development of this frontline island. Tomorrow, the special zone will arrange a high-speed boat service on the Tho Chau - Phu Quoc route to submit election documents and ballots to the province.

Tho Chau Special Zone is situated in the southwest of the nation, covering an area of 13 km2 with a population exceeding 1,800 people. It comprises 8 islands and is approximately 220 km from Rach Gia.

The election for delegates to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term is scheduled for 15/3. Nationwide, there are 218 early polling areas. On 26/2, over 4,000 military personnel, naval officers, coast guard, fisheries surveillance, and oil and gas workers in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau (now part of TP HCM) cast their votes before deploying for maritime duties.

By Bui Toan, Duc Thu, and Ngoc Tai