With the elections of the 13th National Assembly and People’s Council at all levels in the 2011-2016 tenure drawing near, there is high hope that the newly-elected deputies will have a higher sense of responsibility for important issue of voter concern such as law building, decision making and supervision.

Excerpts from a VOV interview with Deputy Vu Mao has advocated renewal of NA operations by allowing for live radio and television broadcasts of Q&A sessions.

Reporter: You have been engaged in NA activities for 20 years. What do you find most interesting?

Mr Mao: I was first elected to the eighth National Assembly in 1987 and remained at work there for several terms. In my view, a nation needs a transparent political system and a strong law-governed state.

What seems most interesting is the practice of democracy in the NA election as well as in the Party building as it helps to bring into full play the people’s right to mastery of society.

Reporter: How has democracy been practiced since the first general election in 1946?

Mr Mao: As I know, the first general election was held on January 6, 1946 in a truly democratic manner under the sound leadership of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Once, when the country faced snags with other political parties, Uncle Ho persuaded the NA to have an additional 70 seats apart from the official list of selected deputies. One virtue at the time was that all forces were united to prevent the young regime from falling apart. The NA has always respected the law-governed state’s principles by electing the State President and agencies, and approving a new constitution. In my opinion, we should continue to draw useful lessons from the past elections.

Reporter: What should be done to build laws in close association with the reality?

Mr Mao: In my opinion, everything should be based on the real situation and people’s aspirations. As servants of people, the deputies should fully understand people’s aspirations to make right decisions before passing laws, policies and guidelines.

Reporter: What do you think when there is a lot of talk about the proportion and criteria?

Mr Mao: Every candidate running for the NA and People’s Council elections at all levels should have good qualifications and morality.

Anyway, priority should be given to getting women involved in NA activities by raising the proportion of female candidates to 30 percent.

Reporter: What about number of young deputies? Is it necessary to have a fixed proportion in the legislative body?

Mr Mao: The NA should have an appropriate proportion of young deputies. However, there are not many prospective candidates under 30, let alone those under 25, even it is stipulated that 21-year-old people are eligible for being elected to the NA.

Reporter: Many voters are very concerned about the arrangements for prospective candidates to meet with voters. Why?

Mr Mao:  The problem is that such meetings are not well organised to make it possible for voters to have enough time for their exchange with candidates. There should be more meetings between voters and candidates so that NA candidates can feel more self-confident in the presentation of their plans of action.

Reporter: How can the NA renew its performance to bring into full play its strength as the top legislative body?  

Mr Mao:  Constitutionally speaking, the NA is the top legislative body and holds a very important position in the process of national construction and development. The more effectively the NA operates and fulfill its tasks the stronger the country becomes. So, due attention should be given to building a powerful legislative body for the benefit of the country and people.   

On the other hand, it is important to increase the quality of deputies who must be virtuous, well-educated and fully capable of working in the areas they are required to do.

Reporter: Could the NA Election Day be fixed on a weekday, not on Sunday as it is now?

Mr Mao: The NA Election Day is fixed on President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19) because he was a great leader and so beloved and close to the Vietnamese people. Ho Chi Minh had devoted his whole life to the nation’s revolutionary cause,  so we should follow the path he had chosen.

Reporter: What do you expect from newly-elected NA deputies?

Mr Mao: I wish that they would all fulfill their duties and responsibilities well under constitution and laws, and work closely with centrally-run agencies to offer advice on important national issues.

Reporter: Thank you very much.

Kim Tuyen