Vietnam Holds Parliamentary Elections With 93% Communist Party Candidates

Over 73 million Vietnamese voters participated in parliamentary elections Sunday, selecting from candidates where nearly 93% belong to the ruling Communist Party. The elections represent one of the few democratic processes in the tightly controlled one-party state, though the Communist Party maintains overwhelming control of the legislature.

More than 73 million Vietnamese citizens cast ballots Sunday in parliamentary elections where the ruling Communist Party dominated candidate selections, fielding almost 93% of those running for the 500-seat National Assembly.

The elections, held every five years, serve as one of the limited democratic exercises in Vietnam’s strictly governed single-party system. Voters also selected local council representatives during the process.

According to the national election council, Communist Party members comprised 864 candidates seeking national parliament seats, with independent candidates making up just 7.5% of the field – a decrease from 8.5% in the previous 2021 election. This composition ensures the party will continue its overwhelming legislative control.

Currently, Communist Party members occupy 97% of parliament seats, having governed Vietnam without opposition for multiple decades.

While the National Assembly lacks authority to overturn major party decisions, particularly regarding personnel appointments, legislators have occasionally modified proposed legislation.

The new parliament’s inaugural session is set for early April, when members will formally approve state leadership positions previously selected by the party, including the president and prime minister roles.

During January’s five-year party congress, officials confirmed To Lam as general secretary – Vietnam’s highest-ranking position – and chose 19 politburo members who form the primary decision-making council.

Party leadership is anticipated to officially announce their state position nominees before parliament convenes, with Lam’s expected presidential appointment considered routine.

This transition would enable the former public security chief to simultaneously hold both influential roles for a five-year term, bringing Vietnam’s governmental structure closer to neighboring China’s model, where Xi Jinping also maintains dual positions.

Notable business executives among the candidates include party members Nguyen Thanh Tung, who leads Vietcombank – Vietnam’s largest bank by market value – and Le Hong Minh, chairman of technology company VNG that operates the nation’s leading messaging platform Zalo.

Male candidates represent approximately 55% of those running, matching proportions from the last election cycle. Following the 2021 voting, women secured roughly 30% of available seats.

Parliament chairman Tran Thanh Man informed local news outlets that election outcomes would be revealed March 23.

State news agencies report that voter participation has surpassed 99% in each of the previous seven parliamentary elections.