Joint Resolution No. 11/2016/NQLT/UBTVQH-CP-ĐCTUBTWMTTQVN guiding the negotiation process and introducing candidates for the 14th National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2016-2021 term.

JOINT RESOLUTION

GUIDELINES FOR THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MEMBERS OF PEOPLE'S COUNCILS AT ALL LEVELS FOR THE 2016-2021 TERM,

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN THE FOURTEENTH SESSION,

______________________

On the basis of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly No. 57/2014/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization No. 76/2015/QH13;

WHEREAS, the Law on Local Administration No. 77/2015/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on the Vietnam Fatherland Front No. 75/2015/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members No. 85/2015/QH13;

The The Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front jointly issue this Joint Resolution guiding the negotiation process and nomination of candidates for members of the National Assembly in the Fourteenth Session and members of People's Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 term, The issueduThe Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front issues a Joint Resolution guiding the negotiation process and the introduction of candidates for the fourteen-term National Assembly deputies and the deputies of all levels of People's Councils for the 2016-2021 term,

PART I

ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST NEGOTIATION MEETING TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE STRUCTURE, COMPOSITION, AND NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTIES AND PEOPLE'S COUNCIL MEMBERS

Section 1

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 1. Organization of the first negotiation meeting

1. The first negotiation meeting shall be held within the period from February 3, 2016 to February 17, 2016.

2. The first negotiation meeting at the central level shall be convened and chaired by the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in accordance with Article 38 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

3. The first negotiation meeting at the provincial and centrally-administered city level shall be convened and chaired by the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in accordance with Article 39 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

Article 2. Content and procedures for organizing the first negotiation meeting

1. The negotiation meeting shall elect a chairperson from the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and a secretary for the meeting.

2. For the first negotiation meeting at the central level, representatives of the National Assembly Standing Committee shall present the proposed structure, composition, and number of individuals from political organizations, the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, social organizations, state agencies, and people's armed forces at the central level who will be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies.

For the first negotiation meeting at the local level, representatives of the Provincial People's Council Standing Committee shall present the proposed structure, composition, and number of individuals from political organizations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, social organizations, state agencies, and people's armed forces at the local level who will be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies.

3. The negotiation meeting shall discuss and agree on the structure, composition, and number of individuals from agencies, organizations, and units to be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies, ensuring the surplus number of candidates, the ratio of female candidates, and ethnic minority candidates in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

In case agreement cannot be reached on any issue, the meeting shall decide to vote by raising hands or secret ballot. If the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a counting team consisting of three to five persons shall be appointed. Voting ballots must bear the seal of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee organizing the negotiation meeting. Only delegates present at the negotiation meeting who are part of the negotiation body have the right to vote.

4. The meeting shall approve the minutes (in Model No. 01/BCĐBQH-MT attached to this Resolution).

5. The minutes of the first negotiation meeting at the central level shall be sent in accordance with Clause 3, Article 38 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members; at the provincial level, in accordance with Clause 3, Article 39 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

Article 3. Adjustment and guidance on introducing candidates for nomination

1. Based on the results of the first negotiation, the National Assembly Standing Committee shall adjust the first time the structure, composition, and number of individuals from agencies, organizations, and units at the central and local levels to be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies in accordance with Article 40 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members. The adjustment document shall be immediately sent to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee organizing the negotiation meeting.

2. On the basis of the first adjustment by the National Assembly Standing Committee regarding the structure, composition, and number of individuals from agencies, organizations, and units to be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies, the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front organizing the negotiation meeting shall be responsible for informing the relevant agencies, organizations, and units about the allocated number of individuals to be nominated as candidates for National Assembly deputies and guiding them on the content, procedures, and steps for nominating candidates and preparing candidate files in accordance with the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members and Chapter II of this Resolution.

Section 2

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

Article 4. Organization of the First Round of Consultation Meetings

The first negotiation meeting at each level shall be held within the period from February 3, 2016 to February 17, 2016, convened and chaired by the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level in accordance with Article 50 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

Article 5. Content and procedures for organizing the first negotiation meeting

1. The negotiation meeting shall elect a chairperson from the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and a secretary for the meeting.

2. Representatives of the Provincial People's Council Standing Committee, District People's Council Standing Committee, and Commune People's Council Standing Committee shall present the proposed structure, composition, and number of individuals from political organizations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, social organizations, people's armed forces, state agencies at the same level, and public service units, economic organizations, directly subordinate administrative units, or village, residential group (for commune level) to be nominated as candidates for People's Council members.

For places implementing pilot programs without establishing People's Councils at district, town, or ward level pursuant to Resolution No. 26/2008/QH12 of the National Assembly, representatives of the People's Committee convening the negotiation meeting shall present the proposed structure, composition, and number of individuals from political organizations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, social organizations, people's armed forces, state agencies at the same level, and public service units, economic organizations, directly subordinate administrative units, or village, residential group (for commune level) to be nominated as candidates for People's Council members.

3. The negotiation meeting shall discuss and unify the structure, composition, and number of individuals from agencies, organizations, and units and village, residential group (for commune level) to be nominated as candidates, ensuring the surplus number of candidates, the ratio of female candidates, and ethnic minority candidates in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Members.

In case agreement cannot be reached on any issue, the meeting shall decide to vote by raising hands or secret ballot. If the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a counting team consisting of three to five persons shall be appointed. Voting ballots must bear the seal of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee organizing the negotiation meeting. Only delegates present at the negotiation meeting who are part of the negotiation body have the right to vote.

4. The meeting shall approve the minutes (in Model 01/BCĐBHĐND-MT attached to this Resolution).

The submission of the minutes of the negotiation conference at the provincial, district, and commune levels shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 4 of Article 50 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies.

For places implementing the pilot program of not establishing People's Councils at the district, town, and ward levels pursuant to Resolution No. 26/2008/QH12 of the National Assembly, the minutes of the negotiation conference shall be immediately sent to the Standing Body of the Provincial People's Council, the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the directly superior level, and the election committee at the same level.

Article 6. Adjustment and Guidance on Introducing Candidates for Nomination

1. Based on the results of the first round of negotiations, the Standing Body of the People's Council at the provincial, district, and commune levels shall adjust for the first time the structure, composition, and number of people from agencies, organizations, units, and villages, village groups (for the commune level) who are recommended as candidates for People's Council deputies according to Article 51 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies. The adjustment document shall be immediately sent to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the level organizing the negotiation conference.

2. On the basis of the adjustments made by the Standing Body of the People's Council at each level regarding the structure, composition, and number of people recommended as candidates for People's Council deputies from agencies, organizations, units, and villages, village groups (for the commune level), the Permanent Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial, district, and commune levels shall have the responsibility to notify the agencies, organizations, units, villages, village groups allocated candidates for People's Council deputies and guide them on the content, procedures, and steps for recommending candidates and preparing candidate files in accordance with the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies and Chapter II of this Resolution.

Chapter II

AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, UNITS INTRODUCING CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTIES AND PEOPLE'S COUNCIL DEPUTIES

Section 1

REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATION OF CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTIES

Article 7. Agencies, organizations, units conducting the recommendation of candidates for National Assembly deputies

1. The recommendation of candidates for National Assembly deputies by agencies, organizations, and units shall be concentrated within the period from February 24, 2016 to March 10, 2016.

2. Agencies, organizations, and units allocated the number of candidates for National Assembly deputies shall implement the recommendation of their own candidates for National Assembly deputies through the following steps:

a) The leadership of the agency, organization, or unit convenes a meeting to propose candidates from their own agency, organization, or unit for recommendation as National Assembly deputies;

b) Organize a meeting to gather opinions and comments from voters at the agency, organization, or unit regarding the proposed candidates;

c) Based on the opinions and trust of the voter meetings where the proposed candidates work or reside, the leadership of the agency, organization, or unit convenes an expanded leadership meeting to discuss and recommend candidates for National Assembly deputies.

Article 8. Meeting of the leadership of the agency, organization, or unit to propose candidates for election to representatives of the National Assembly

1. Participants in the meeting:

a) Leadership body of the political organization for political organizations, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, political-social organizations, social organizations;

b) The leadership of the agency, organization, or unit, and the Trade Union Executive Board for state agencies, economic organizations, and public service units;

c) The commander of the unit for military units.

2. Procedures and steps for organizing the meeting:

a) Representatives of the leadership of the agency, organization, or unit, and military personnel introduce the purpose and requirements of the meeting, propose the structure, composition, and number of people allocated for recommendation, the criteria for National Assembly deputies, and the steps to establish the list of recommended candidates.

b) Participants discuss the proposed recommendation of individuals from their agency, organization, or unit to be candidates for National Assembly deputies to obtain the comments of the voter meeting within the agency, organization, or unit;

c) The meeting approves the minutes (in Model No. 02/BCĐBQH-MT attached to this Resolution).

Article 9. The meeting to solicit opinions from voters at agencies, organizations, and units on individuals proposed for candidacy as National Assembly deputies shall be held.

1. The organization of meetings to solicit opinions from voters at agencies, organizations, and units on individuals proposed for candidacy as National Assembly deputies shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 1, 3, and 4 of Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

2. The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded in Model No. 02/BC ĐBQH, ĐBHĐND-UBTVQH attached to Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 10. Expanded Leadership Meeting of Agencies, Organizations, and Units to Discuss and Introduce Candidates for National Assembly Deputies

a) For political organizations, participants include the leadership body and representatives of the heads of subordinate units;

a) For political organizations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, social organizations, the participants in the expanded executive board meeting shall include the heads of member organizations (if there are no member organizations, the expanded executive board meeting shall include representatives of leadership of subordinate units).

b) For state agencies, economic organizations, public service units, the participants in the meeting shall include the leadership of the agency, representatives of the Trade Union Executive Board, and representatives of the leadership of subordinate units.

c) For people's armed forces units, the participants in the meeting shall include the unit commander, representatives of the Trade Union Executive Board (if any), representatives of military personnel, and immediate subordinates' commanders.

2. Procedures and steps for organizing the meeting:

a) Representatives of the leadership of agencies, organizations, units, and commanders of people's armed forces units report on the situation and results of the meeting to solicit opinions from voters at their workplace or place of work regarding each individual proposed for candidacy.

b) Participants in the meeting discuss and express their approval for each individual proposed for candidacy through raising hands or secret ballot as decided by the meeting. In case the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a ballot counting team consisting of three to five members shall be appointed. The nomination form must bear the seal of the agency, organization, or unit.

c) The meeting approves the minutes and list of introduced candidates (using Model No. 03/BCDBQH-MT attached to this Resolution).

1. Based on the results of the expanded leadership conference, the agency, organization, or unit has the responsibility to guide its selected and introduced candidates for National Assembly deputies to prepare candidacy application files in accordance with Article 35 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies and the guidelines of the National Election Council.

1. Based on the results of the expanded leadership meeting, the agency, organization, or unit shall be responsible for guiding individuals chosen and proposed for candidacy as National Assembly deputies to prepare their candidacy files in accordance with Article 35 of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies and the guidelines of the National Election Council.

2. By no later than March 13, 2016, candidates must complete the submission of their candidacy files for National Assembly deputies.

The submission of candidacy files by candidates for National Assembly deputies shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 36 of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies, completed no later than March 15, 2016, to be included in the list of negotiations.

3. The sending of minutes of the meeting of voters at the workplace or place of work and the minutes of the leadership meeting of central agencies, organizations, and units shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 41 of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies; at provincial level, it shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 42 of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies, completed no later than March 13, 2016.

Section 2

REGARDING THE PROPOSAL OF CANDIDATES FOR PEOPLE'S COUNCIL DEPUTIES

Article 12. Agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates for People's Council deputies at provincial, district, and commune levels

1. The proposal of candidates for People's Council deputies by agencies, organizations, and units shall be concentrated in the period from February 24, 2016, to March 10, 2016.

2. A person introduced as a candidate for a People's Council deputy of a certain locality must be a resident or regularly employed in that locality.

3. Agencies, organizations, and units that are expected to allocate the number of individuals proposed for candidacy shall implement the proposal of candidates for People's Council deputies from their own agencies, organizations, and units according to the following steps:

a) The leadership of the agency, organization, or unit convenes a meeting to propose individuals from their own agency, organization, or unit to run for candidacy as People's Council deputies.

b) Organize a meeting to solicit opinions from voters at the workplace or place of work on individuals proposed for candidacy.

c) Based on the opinions and trust expressed in the meeting of voters at the workplace or place of work, the leadership of the agency, organization, or unit organizes an expanded leadership meeting to discuss and propose candidates.

4. The proposal of individuals from villages or residential wards to run for candidacy as People's Council deputies at the commune level shall be implemented in accordance with Chapter II of Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 13. Meeting of the leadership body of the agency, organization, unit to propose candidates for People's Council representatives

1. Participants in the meeting:

a) Leadership board for political organizations, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, political-social organizations, social organizations;

b) The leadership of the agency, organization, or unit, and the Trade Union Executive Board for state agencies, economic organizations, and public service units;

c) The commander of the unit for military units.

2. Procedures and steps for organizing the meeting:

a) The representative of the leadership of the agency, organization, unit, military unit commander introduces the purpose, requirements of the meeting, the structure, composition, number of people allocated to propose candidates, the criteria for People's Council representatives, and the steps to establish the list of proposed candidates;

b) Participants discuss the proposed introduction of candidates from their own agency, organization, or unit;

c) The meeting approves the minutes (according to Model No. 03/BC ĐBHĐND-MT attached to this Resolution).

Article 14. Meeting to seek opinions from voters at the workplace or place of work regarding the proposed candidates for People's Council representatives

1. The organization of meetings to seek voter opinions at agencies, organizations, units on the proposed candidates for People's Council representatives shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 1, 3, and 4 of Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

2. The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded in Model No. 02/BC ĐBQH, ĐBHĐND-UBTVQH attached to Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 15. Expanded Leadership Meeting of Agencies, Organizations, Units to Discuss and Introduce Candidates for People's Council Deputies

a) For political organizations, participants include the leadership body and representatives of the heads of subordinate units;

a) For political organizations, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees, political-social organizations, social organizations, the meeting participants include the expanded Standing Committee or the expanded Standing Board to the representatives of the leadership of subordinate units or the leadership of member organizations. In case social organizations do not have a Standing Committee, they organize a meeting of the Executive Board;

b) For the People's Committee, the Chairman of the People's Committee convenes and chairs the expanded People's Committee meeting including representatives of the leadership of subordinate units;

c) For provincial and district People's Councils, the Chairman of the People's Council convenes and chairs the meeting including the Standing Body of the People's Council, Heads, Deputy Heads of the People's Council's Departments;

d) For commune People's Councils, the Chairman of the People's Council convenes and chairs the meeting including Deputy Chairmen of the People's Council, Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen of the People's Committee, Heads of the People's Council Delegation Group (if any);

đ) For departments, sectors, the head of the agency convenes and chairs the expanded leadership meeting including representatives of the leadership of subordinate units, representatives of the Executive Board of the Trade Union;

e) For public service units, the head of the unit convenes and chairs the expanded leadership meeting including representatives of the leadership of subordinate units (if any), representatives of the Executive Board of the Trade Union;

g) For economic organizations, the head of the organization convenes and chairs the expanded leadership meeting including heads of departments, workshops, stations, farms, representatives of the Executive Board of the Trade Union;

h) For military units, the unit commander convenes and chairs the meeting including the unit commander, representatives of the Executive Board of the Trade Union (if any), representatives of military personnel and direct subordinates;

i) In cases where the head of the agency, organization, or unit is proposed as a candidate for People's Council deputy, the deputy head of the agency, organization, or unit shall convene and chair the meeting.

2. Procedures and steps for organizing the meeting:

a) Representatives of the leadership of agencies, organizations, units, and commanders of people's armed forces units report on the situation and results of the meeting to solicit opinions from voters at their workplace or place of work regarding each individual proposed for candidacy.

b) Participants in the meeting discuss and express their approval for each individual proposed for candidacy through raising hands or secret ballot as decided by the meeting. In case the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a ballot counting team consisting of three to five members shall be appointed. The nomination form must bear the seal of the agency, organization, or unit.

c) The meeting approves the minutes and the list of proposed candidates (according to Model No. 03/BC ĐBHĐND-MT attached to this Resolution).

1. Based on the results of the expanded leadership meeting, the agency, organization, or unit is responsible for guiding its selected and introduced candidates for People's Council representatives to prepare their candidacy application files in accordance with Article 35 of the Law on Election of National Assembly and People's Council Deputies and the guidelines of the National Election Council.

1. Based on the results of the expanded leadership meeting, the agency, organization, unit is responsible for guiding the staff of their own agency, organization, unit who are selected and proposed as candidates for People's Council representatives to prepare candidacy files in accordance with Article 35 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives and the guidance of the National Election Council.

2. By March 13, 2016 at the latest, the candidate must complete the submission of the candidacy file for People's Council representatives.

The submission of the candidacy file for People's Council representatives is carried out according to Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 36 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives, completed no later than March 15, 2016 to be included in the negotiation list.

3. The sending of the minutes of the meeting of voters at the workplace or place of work, the minutes of the expanded leadership meeting of the agency, organization, unit, and the minutes of the meeting of voters in the village or residential group is carried out according to Clause 6 of Article 52 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives, completed no later than March 13, 2016.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF THE SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATIVE MEETING TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE PROVISIONAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

Section 1

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 17. Organization of the Second Consultative Conference

1. The second round of negotiation meeting is organized during the period from March 16, 2016 to March 18, 2016.

2. The second round of negotiation meeting at the central level, convened and chaired by the Central Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, is implemented in accordance with Article 43 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives.

3. The second round of negotiation meeting at the local level, convened and chaired by the Provincial Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, is implemented in accordance with Article 44 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives.

Article 18. Content and procedures for organizing the second round of consultative meetings

1. The Central Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (for the central-level negotiation meeting), the Provincial Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (for the local-level negotiation meeting) reports on the situation of proposing candidates from agencies, organizations, units and self-nominated candidates in the locality (if any).

2. The conference shall discuss and establish a preliminary list of candidates for deputies to the National Assembly based on the following contents:

a) The criteria for National Assembly deputies;

b) The first adjustment result of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly regarding the proposed structure, composition, and number of people to be proposed as candidates for National Assembly representatives from agencies, organizations, units;

c) The results of the agreement reached at the First Consultative Conference;

d) The files and minutes of agencies, organizations, units proposing candidates for National Assembly representatives sent in;

đ) The opinion and trust of voters at the workplace or place of work regarding the proposed candidates for National Assembly representatives;

3. The meeting discusses the plan to collect opinions and trust from voters in the place of residence regarding the proposed candidates from agencies, organizations, units and self-nominated candidates, and opinions from voters at the workplace or place of work (if any) of self-nominated candidates; raise issues that need to be verified and clarified for candidates.

4. The meeting approves the minutes and the preliminary list of candidates for National Assembly representatives (according to Model No. 01 and 05/BCĐBQH-MT attached to this Resolution).

5. The sending of the minutes of the second round of negotiation meeting at the central level is carried out according to Clause 3 of Article 43 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives; at the provincial level, it is carried out according to Clause 3 of Article 44 of the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly and People's Council Representatives.

Section 2

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

Article 19. The second round of consultation meetings

The second round of negotiation meetings at each level shall be organized from March 16, 2016 to March 18, 2016, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level, in accordance with Article 53 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies.

Article 20. Content and procedures for organizing the second round of consultative meetings

1. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the organizational level shall convene the negotiation meeting to report on the situation of candidate introductions by agencies, organizations, units, and village associations (for commune level) and self-nominations (if any).

2. The meeting discusses and establishes a preliminary list of candidates for People's Council deputies based on the following contents:

a) The criteria for People's Council deputies;

b) The results of adjustments by the Standing Committee of the People's Council regarding the structure, composition, and number of People's Council deputies introduced for candidacy by agencies, organizations, and units;

c) The results of the agreement reached at the First Consultative Conference;

d) The nomination files and minutes submitted by agencies, organizations, and units;

đ) The comments and trust of voters at the place of work or residence concerning the candidates for People's Council deputies;

3. The meeting discusses plans to collect voter comments and trust at the place of residence for candidates nominated by agencies, organizations, and units, and self-nominated candidates, and to collect voter opinions at the place of work or residence (if any) for self-nominated candidates and those nominated by village associations for commune-level People's Council deputies; it raises issues that need to be verified and clarified for the candidates.

4. The meeting approves the minutes and preliminary list of candidates for People's Council deputies (according to Model No. 01 and 05/BCĐBHĐND-MT attached to this Resolution).

5. The submission of the negotiation meeting minutes and the preliminary list of candidates for People's Council deputies at provincial, district, and commune levels shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 53 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies.

For places implementing pilot programs without organizing district, town, or ward People's Councils according to Resolution No. 26/2008/QH12 of the National Assembly, the negotiation meeting minutes shall be immediately sent to the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council, the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the next higher level, and the election committee at the same level.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION OF MEETINGS TO COLLECT ELECTORS' OPINIONS AND TRUST IN CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

Article 21. Organizing voter meetings for candidates for National Assembly deputies

1. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial level shall organize a meeting with representatives of the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the district and commune levels where the candidates for National Assembly deputies reside, and representatives of agencies, organizations, and units with candidates to guide the organization of voter opinion collection.

2. The collection of opinions from the residents' meeting regarding candidates for National Assembly deputies shall be organized in the village or residential association where the candidates regularly reside, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level in coordination with the same-level People's Committee.

The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level shall coordinate with agencies, organizations, and units introducing candidates to organize the residents' meeting.

3. The organization of the residents' meeting to collect opinions and trust of voters regarding candidates for National Assembly deputies and voters at the place of work or residence for self-nominated candidates for National Assembly deputies (if any) shall be conducted from March 20, 2016 to April 12, 2016, in accordance with Article 45 and Article 46 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies and Chapter I of Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 22. Organization of elector meetings for candidates for People's Council deputies

1. Immediately following the second round of negotiation meetings, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the organizational level shall convene a meeting with the person responsible for personnel work in agencies, organizations, and units with candidates; representatives of the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the lower level directly (for commune level, invite the Heads of the Mass Mobilization Committees in the area), and the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level where the candidates for provincial and district-level People's Council deputies regularly reside to guide the organization of voter opinion collection at the place of residence for candidates listed in the preliminary list and voter opinions at the place of work or residence for self-nominated candidates (if any), and those nominated by village associations for commune-level People's Council deputies.

2. The collection of opinions from the residents' meeting regarding candidates for People's Council deputies shall be organized in the village or residential association where the candidates regularly reside, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level in coordination with the same-level People's Committee.

The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level shall coordinate with agencies, organizations, and units introducing candidates to organize the residents' meeting.

3. The organization of the residents' meeting to collect opinions and trust of voters regarding candidates for People's Council deputies and voters at the place of work or residence for self-nominated candidates for People's Council deputies (if any), and those nominated by village associations for commune-level People's Council deputies shall be conducted from March 20, 2016 to April 12, 2016, in accordance with Article 54 and Article 55 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies and Chapter I of Resolution No. 1134/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 23. Verification and Response to Matters Raised by Voters Regarding Candidates for National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies

1. The responsibility for verifying and responding to matters raised by voters regarding candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies shall be carried out in accordance with Article 46 and Article 55 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies.

2. By no later than April 12, 2016, verification and responses to matters raised by voters regarding candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies must be completed.

Article 24. Second Adjustment of the Composition, Structure, and Number of Candidates for National Assembly Deputies

By no later than March 28, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall adjust the second time the structure, composition, and number of people from central and local agencies, organizations, and units introduced for candidacy for National Assembly deputies in accordance with Article 47 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Council Deputies. The adjustment document shall be sent to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the negotiation meeting level to serve as a basis for the third round of negotiations.

Chapter V

ORGANIZATION OF THE THIRD ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS TO SELECT AND ESTABLISH THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTIES AND PEOPLE'S COUNCIL DEPUTIES

Section 1

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 25. Organization of the Third Round of Consultations

1. The third round of negotiation meetings shall be held from April 13, 2016 to April 17, 2016.

2. The third round of consultation meetings at the central level, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 48 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies.

3. The third round of consultation meetings at the local level, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial level, shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 49 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies.

Article 26. Content and procedures for organizing the third negotiation meeting

1. The Standing Committee of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee (for the central-level consultation meetings) and the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial level (for the provincial-level consultation meetings) shall report on the situation and results of soliciting opinions and trust from voters regarding candidates in their places of residence, workplace, or place of employment, including specifying cases where candidates have not received voter trust and cases requiring review due to issues raised by voters.

2. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the organizational level shall convene the consultation meeting to report the proposed list of individuals recommended for candidacy as National Assembly deputies, to select and compile a list of those who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy as National Assembly deputies.

In case agreement cannot be reached, the meeting shall decide to vote by raising hands or secret ballot. If the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a counting team consisting of three to five people shall be appointed. Voting ballots must bear the seal of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the level organizing the consultation meeting. Only delegates present at the consultation meeting may vote.

3. The meeting shall approve the minutes and list of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy as National Assembly deputies (in accordance with Model Nos. 01/BCĐBQH-MT and 04/BCĐBQH-MT attached to this Resolution).

4. The submission of the minutes of the third round of consultation meetings at the central level shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 3 of Article 48 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies; at the provincial level, it shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 3 of Article 49 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies, no later than April 22, 2016.

Section 2

REGARDING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

Article 27. Organization of the third negotiation meeting

The third round of consultation meetings at each level shall be organized within the period from April 13, 2016 to April 17, 2016, convened and chaired by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 56 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies.

Article 28. Content and procedures for organizing the third negotiation meeting

1. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the organizational level shall convene the consultation meeting to report on the situation and results of soliciting opinions and trust from voters regarding candidates in their places of residence, workplace, or place of employment, including specifying cases where candidates have not received voter trust and cases requiring review due to issues raised by voters.

2. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the organizational level shall convene the consultation meeting to report the proposed list of individuals for candidacy as People's Council deputies, to select and compile a list of those who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy as People's Council deputies.

In case agreement cannot be reached, the meeting shall decide to vote by raising hands or secret ballot. If the meeting decides to vote by secret ballot, a counting team consisting of three to five people shall be appointed. Voting ballots must bear the seal of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the level organizing the consultation meeting. Only delegates present at the consultation meeting may vote.

3. The meeting shall approve the minutes and list of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy as People's Council deputies (in accordance with Model Nos. 01/BCĐBHĐND-MT and 05/BCĐBHĐND-MT attached to this Resolution).

4. The submission of the minutes of the consultation meetings and the list of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy at the provincial, district, and commune levels shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 3 of Article 56 of the Law on the Election of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies, no later than April 22, 2016.

For areas implementing the pilot program of not establishing People's Councils at the district, town, and ward levels pursuant to Resolution No. 26/2008/QH12 of the National Assembly, the minutes of the third round of consultation meetings and the list of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for candidacy as People's Council deputies shall be submitted to the Standing Body of the Provincial People's Council, the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the immediately superior level, and the Election Committee at the same level.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 29. Responsibilities and Effectiveness of Implementation

1. This Resolution shall take effect from the date of signature.

2. At all levels, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of the work of consultation and introducing candidates for election as members of the National Assembly of the XIVth term and members of People's Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 tenure in accordance with the provisions of this Resolution.

3. Relevant agencies, organizations, and units shall be responsible for coordinating with the Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at all levels to implement the tasks stipulated in this Resolution./.