Mr Doan talked about information dissemination for the election in an interview granted to VOV on the sidelines of a training course for media workers held recently in Hanoi.  

VOV: What is your assessment of the information dissemination work for the upcoming election of deputies to the 12^th National Assembly? 

Mr Doan: As the voting day (May 20) is drawing near, information dissemination should highlight major preparations for the election, including the various steps of the consultation process and the listing of candidates and voters. In my opinion, there are three things to be addressed, as follows:

First, the work should be focused on meetings between voters and shortlisted candidates, which are in fact election campaigns. During these meetings, candidates, through presentation of their programmes of action, will brief voters on their rights, responsibilities and oblilgations to fulfill after being elected, and answer voter questions.

Second, media agencies will cover the event in a way that the voting day must be a festive day for the entire population and take place in a democratic and ebullient atmosphere. They should link this important event to the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in localities as well as the whole country, and particularly to national patriotic movements.

Third, media agencies should follow and cover the results of the election as they capture the events.

VOV: Could you elaborate on new points in information dissemination for this election?

Mr Doan: Information dissemination for election campaigns was clearly stated in Instructions of the National Assembly Standing Committee with new points concerning steps, contents and activities. An important thing is that the work must ensure fairness and democracy for all candidates while presenting their programmes of action at voter meetings. Training courses for media workers will also help them fulfill their tasks in disseminating information about the campaigns.

In addition, the work should help international friends understand democracy and openness in implementing citizens’ rights and obligations in this election. More importantly, it should highlight the country’s achievements in the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, particularly in implementing socio-economic development tasks, expanding foreign affairs relations and maintaining social order, security and political stability.

Through information dissemination for overseas services, we should make Vietnamese people and international friends better understand the fine nature and efforts of the Vietnamese State, especially the democratisation process through the election.

VOV: What should we do to spread information among people in disadvantaged areas?

Mr Doan: In the propaganda plan, media agencies should pay attention to remote, mountainous, border and island areas to help local people get full access to information and ensure democracy as stipulated in the National Assembly Election Law. We will use all means of media. For example, radio broadcasting will be given top priority in areas where television broadcasting is inaccessible. Public address stations will disseminate information relating to electoral documents and regulations while mobile information dissemination teams will be dispatched to isolated areas to help local people know and exercise their rights.

VOV: What are voters and candidates’ responsibilities for making May 20 become the festive day of the entire population?

Mr Doan: The election takes place at a time when Vietnam has already joined the World Trade Organisation and made significant achievements in various areas such as security, national defence and foreign affairs relations. The event also takes place when we have been implementing resolutions of the 10^th National Party Congress driven by the achievements made in 20 years of implementing the Renewal process. Therefore, the 12^th National Assembly will hold a very important position in this context. This requires to-be-elected candidates to shoulder heavy tasks entrusted to them by the entire Party and people to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations.