The first general election defined Vietnam’s democratic institution

It allowed Vietnamese people to exercise their right to mastery after a century under colonial rule.  It was a model of democracy in elections and a foundation on which to build a democratic institution. 

When the general election was being held, the French in Vietnam’s central and south-central regions expanded the war hoping to permanently divide Vietnam and set up the “South’s self-ruling regime”.

Meanwhile Chinese troops, under the pretext of alliance, entered Vietnam’s northern region to confiscate the weapons of the Japanese troops.

They intended to undermine the general election and seize control. But Vietnamese people showed their strong faith in the patriotic representatives of the Vietnam Independence League.

Democracy in nomination and election

Election rules and a list of candidates were made public in the National Salvation newspaper several weeks before the election. Every citizen was eligible to cast a direct and secret vote.  

In order to expand the people’s unity bloc and uphold the principle of unification, President Ho Chi Minh and the Command of the Vietnam Independence League invited people who were not members of the League to run in the election. 

This decision respected the people’s right to freedom and independence and united all patriotic movements in the national interest. President Ho Chi Minh called the general election an opportunity for all people to freely select competent people to steer the nation.

Anyone who was a Vietnamese citizen and cared about national issues could run in the election. President Ho Chi Minh said the general election represented freedom, equality, democracy, and unity.

Associate Professor Doctor Bui Xuan Duc noted, “Although it’s the first general election in Vietnam, it ensured all the requirements of an election. All citizens were free to nominate and vote. It was a success for the newly established government. Election information was made public.”

At the first National Assembly election, 89% of eligible voters nationwide went to the polls to elect 333 representatives. 57% of them were members of various parties; 43% were non-party members.

The National Assembly’s deputies represented all strata including workers, farmers, revolutionaries, intellectuals, merchants, and artists. The deputies also represented all religions - Catholicism, Buddhism, and Caodaism – ethnic groups and all political parties.

Premise for building a democratic institution

The general election was a success, thanks to the power of national unity in building socialism, and a giant step for Vietnam politically. It opened a new chapter in Vietnam’s history – a legal government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Associate Professor Doctor Bui Xuan Duc stressed, “The general election institutionalized the administration by establishing a National Assembly representing all people in internal and external affairs and defending the Constitution. The election respected and ensured the people’s mastery right. President Ho Chi Minh said we had the Constitution and the National Assembly to ensure democracy.”

In the 70 years since the 1st general election, the Vietnam National Assembly has had 13 tenures. It’s invaluable lessons have been and will continue to be respected in the new period.