Mr Trong, who is also head of the Central Election Council, said that Soc Trang is an important area inhabited by a large number of ethnic minority people, including Khmer ethnics (29 percent) and Chinese Vietnamese (6 percent). The province should make thorough preparations for the upcoming 12^th NA election on May 20, mobilize all local voters to cast their ballots, and ensure that the election will take place in a democratic, safe and lawful manner, he said.

The NA Chairman urged Soc Trang to promote propaganda in remote areas and provide local people with election procedures and biographies of candidates to be elected in their constituencies.

Mr Trong also inspected preparations for the election at two sites in Ward 6 of Soc Trang city.