Circular No. 21/2025/TT-BNV guiding the procedures for organizing the election of members of the National Assembly, term XVI, and members of People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.

CIRCULAR

HGuidelines for the organization of elections for the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026 term and the 2026-2031 term 2031

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Pursuant to the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies No. 85/2015/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by Law No. 83/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 199/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly dated May 21, 2025, regarding shortening the term of the fifteenth session National Assembly and all levels People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term; The election date for the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 25/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 21, 2025 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Based on the proposal of the Director of the Department of Local Administration;

The Minister of Home Affairs issues guidelines for the organization of elections for the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

These Circulars provide guidelines for the organization of elections for the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term at provincial administrative units and district-level administrative units (hereinafter referred to as provincial level); commune-level administrative units, ward-level administrative units, and special economic zones (hereinafter referred to as commune level).

Article 2. Applicability

These Circulars apply to the Standing Body of the People's Council, the People's Committee at the provincial and commune levels; organizations responsible for organizing elections for the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term established at the provincial and commune levels, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals in the implementation of the election of the sixteenth session National Assembly deputies and deputies of all levels People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term (hereinafter referred to as the election).

Article 3. Division of Electoral Units

1. The division of electoral units for National Assembly deputies and provincial-level People's Council deputies shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies and People's Council Deputies No. 85/2015/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by Law No. 83/2025/QH15 (hereinafter referred to as the Election Law).

2. Each electoral unit for National Assembly deputies and each electoral unit for provincial-level People's Council deputies shall consist of one or more commune-level administrative units.

Each electoral unit for commune-level People's Council deputies shall consist of one or more villages or residential wards. In cases where it is truly necessary due to a large population in villages or residential wards, these may be divided into multiple electoral units.

3. Based on the population, the number of National Assembly deputies to be elected in the locality, the Provincial Election Committee shall propose the number of electoral units, the list of electoral units, and the number of sixteenth session National Assembly deputies to be elected in each electoral unit for consideration and decision by the National Election Committee.

Based on the population, the number of provincial-level and commune-level People's Council deputies to be elected, the Provincial People's Committee and Commune People's Committee shall propose the number of electoral units, the list of electoral units, and the number of People's Council deputies for the 2026-2031 term to be elected in each electoral unit for consideration and decision by the same-level Election Committee.

4. The population of each provincial-level administrative unit, each commune-level administrative unit, and each village or residential ward, serving as the basis for determining the number of electoral units and the number of National Assembly deputies and provincial-level and commune-level People's Council deputies to be elected in each electoral unit, shall be determined based on the national population database statistics up to August 31, 2025, provided by the provincial and commune-level public security agencies.

5. For areas with special characteristics such as industrial zones, newly formed urban areas, densely populated urban areas, or sparsely populated mountainous communes, the proposed division of electoral units must ensure a reasonable balance in the number of voters between electoral units, avoiding significant disparities among electoral units within the same area, and ensuring rational allocation of the number of deputies to be elected, facilitating voters' exercise of their right to vote and supporting organizations responsible for elections in carrying out their tasks.

Article 4. Division of polling areas

1. The division of polling areas for electing members of the National Assembly and provincial People's Councils and communal People's Councils shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Election Law.

2. The People's Commune People's Committee shall base on the number of voters, geographical features, and population distribution within its jurisdiction to determine appropriate polling areas, including one or several villages or residential wards, and report to the People's Provincial People's Committee. In cases where villages or residential wards have too many voters, or due to large territories that are divided or scattered, or where population distribution is not concentrated, they may be divided into multiple polling areas. The division of villages or residential wards into multiple polling areas must ensure convenience for guidance, supervision, and monitoring by election-related organizations and competent state agencies, especially during the conduct of election work by the Election Team.

3. In cases where, after establishing polling areas and compiling voter lists, a high-risk epidemic occurs, requiring centralized quarantine, lockdown, or natural disasters or fires leading to divided terrain and centralized quarantine sites or locked-down areas having too many voters or high infection risks, the People's Commune People's Committee may decide to establish additional separate polling areas at centralized quarantine facilities, locked-down areas, or divided areas, provided it reports and obtains approval from the People's Provincial People's Committee.

4. If the number of voters in a polling area decreases significantly compared to the time of voter list compilation, falling below the minimum number required to establish a polling area according to regulations, based on local conditions and actual circumstances, the People's Commune People's Committee decides to continue maintaining the polling area for normal voting (as a precaution for registered voters returning before election day) or dissolves the polling area and the Election Team there and merges them into an adjacent polling area within the same electoral unit, ensuring convenience for voters and suitability for the capacity of local election-related organizations. The decision to dissolve a polling area must be approved by the People's Provincial People's Committee, and the People's Commune People's Committee must promptly and widely inform voters about changes to polling areas so that voters can vote according to regulations.

5. To ensure the effective implementation of election work, the People's Provincial People's Committee may independently or upon request from the People's Commune People's Committee, adjust polling areas decided by the People's Commune People's Committee, aiming to facilitate voter participation, ensure fairness and reasonableness, without changing voter rights, and comply with the Election Law and related guiding documents.

The People's Provincial People's Committee's decision to adjust polling areas shall be sent to the People's Commune People's Committee. The People's Commune People's Committee is responsible for organizing the announcement, posting, and widely informing voters about the adjustment of polling areas by the People's Provincial People's Committee.

6. Based on the polling areas determined by competent authorities under Clause 1 of this Article, the People's Commune People's Committee decides to establish Election Teams to carry out election work in polling areas as prescribed.

Article 5. Application of information technology and digital transformation in implementing election-related tasks

1. Provincial People's Committees and provincial Election Committees within their scope and duties shall direct to strengthen the application of information technology and digital transformation in implementing election-related tasks. The application of information technology and digital transformation in election-related tasks must ensure both suitability with local conditions and characteristics, as well as the implementation capacity of members of election organizations, and also ensure the confidentiality of election information in accordance with the Cybersecurity Law, Personal Data Protection Law, and other laws on elections.

2. Election-related tasks that need to enhance the application of information technology and digital transformation include:

a) Information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization activities;

b) Updating and reporting on the situation and progress of the election;

c) Compiling and posting voter lists, printing voter cards; updating the progress of voter participation in voting;

d) Supporting the organization of vote counting and summarizing vote counting results. The application of information technology and digital transformation in supporting the organization of vote counting and summarizing vote counting results must ensure accuracy and the confidentiality of information in accordance with the law on elections;

e) Other contents in election-related tasks in compliance with the provisions of the law on elections.

3. Prior to applying information technology and digital transformation applications in election-related tasks, localities must develop specific plans and schemes, absolutely ensuring the security and safety of election data, implementing trial operation mechanisms and system testing before implementation.

In cases where information technology and digital transformation applications related to voting methods and procedures on election day, updating election results, vote counting, and summarizing vote counting results are applied, the provincial Election Committee must report and seek the opinion of the National Election Council before implementation.

Article 6. Rules for Voting Rooms, Election Regulations

1. The rules for voting rooms are implemented in accordance with Article 4 of Resolution No. 40/NQ-HĐBCQG dated September 29, 2025 of the National Election Council stipulating sample candidate registration forms, ballot papers, rules for voting rooms, and various types of documents used in the election of National Assembly deputies and People's Council representatives at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

2. Election regulations

To facilitate voters during the voting process, based on the provisions of the law on elections (including guidance on election regulations issued by the National Election Council in previous elections) and the specific circumstances in the locality, the provincial Election Committee shall proactively compile election regulations to be posted by the Election Teams in the voting rooms. The election regulations should be presented concisely, clearly, easily understood, and remembered, and posted in areas convenient for voters to access. The election regulations may include the following basic contents:

a) Principles and procedures for voting:

- Voting begins from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on the same day. Depending on local conditions, the Election Team may decide to start voting earlier but not before 5:00 AM or end later but not after 9:00 PM on the same day;

- When voting, voters must present their Voter Card;

- Each voter has the right to cast one vote for a National Assembly deputy and one vote for a People's Council representative corresponding to each level of People's Council they are eligible to vote for;

- Voters must vote themselves and cannot have someone else vote on their behalf. If a voter is unable to write their ballot themselves, they can ask someone else to fill out the ballot for them but must cast the ballot themselves; the person filling out the ballot must ensure the secrecy of the voter's ballot. A disabled voter who is unable to vote themselves can have someone else cast the ballot into the ballot box;

- If a voter does not vote for anyone on the ballot, they must strike through the entire line containing the name of the candidate they are not voting for (striking through the line containing the candidate's name); they must not circle; they must not mark on the ballot; they must not write additional names outside the list of candidates on the ballot; they must not indicate more candidates than the number of representatives to be elected for the electoral unit or strike through all the names of candidates on the ballot;

- When a voter fills out their ballot, no one is allowed to see it, including members of the Election Team. If the ballot is filled out incorrectly, the voter has the right to exchange it for another ballot;

- After a voter finishes casting their ballot, the Election Team is responsible for stamping "Voted" on the front, top left corner of the Voter Card. The Voter Card is only valid for one vote.

b) Invalid ballots:

- Ballots not in the prescribed format issued by the Election Team;

- Ballots without the stamp of the Election Team;

- Ballots indicating more candidates than the number of representatives to be elected for the electoral unit;

- Ballots striking through all the names of candidates;

- Ballots writing additional names outside the list of candidates or ballots containing additional content.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF ELECTION RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Article 7. The establishment, structure, composition, tasks, powers, and principles of operation of election management organizations at local levels

1. The establishment, structure, composition, tasks, powers, and principles of operation of election management organizations (hereinafter referred to as election management organizations) shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 of the Election Law.

2. For electoral units for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the commune level that have only one polling station, the Election Committee and the Polling Station Committee shall still be established separately; members of the Election Committee may participate as members of the Polling Station Committee.

3. In special administrative zones with a permanent population of less than 1,000 people where there is no local administration, the People's Committee of the special administrative zone, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level, shall decide to establish a Polling Station Committee in each polling station to carry out the work of electing National Assembly deputies and provincial-level People's Council deputies. The number of members, tasks, powers, and principles of operation of the Polling Station Committee in special administrative zones as stipulated in this clause shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law.

4. The competent authority responsible for establishing election management organizations shall select individuals with good political and moral qualities, trusted by the masses, knowledgeable about the law, experienced in information technology and digital transformation, and having experience in previous election work (if any) to participate in election management organizations.

5. In cases where members of election management organizations are absent due to death, disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, or other reasons leading to a shortage of members of election management organizations, or due to the occurrence of a contagious disease outbreak on the territory requiring centralized quarantine and lockdown measures, based on the specific circumstances of each locality, the People's Committee at the provincial or commune level, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committee of the People's Council and the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level, shall decide to change or supplement members of the election management organization at their own level before the election day, ensuring compliance with the required number of members under the Election Law while meeting the requirements for effectively carrying out election work.

For special administrative zones with a permanent population of less than 1,000 people without a local administration, the People's Committee of the special administrative zone, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level, shall decide to change or supplement members of the Polling Station Committee before the election day.

Article 8. Establishing working regulations and assigning tasks to members of election management organizations

1. To ensure effective operations, election management organizations need to establish and promulgate working regulations. Depending on the nature and tasks of each election management organization, the working regulations should contain appropriate contents, including the following essential elements:

a) Principles and forms of operation of election management organizations;

b) Work procedures, rules, and processes for handling tasks of election management organizations;

c) Meetings of election management organizations;

d) Assignment of tasks, powers, and responsibilities of members of election management organizations;

e) Working relationships, information reporting systems, and reporting requirements of election management organizations.

2. The Chairperson of the Provincial or Commune-level Election Committee, the Head of the Election Committee for National Assembly deputies, the Head of the Election Committee for provincial-level People's Council deputies, and the Head of the Polling Station Committee (collectively referred to as the head of the election management organization) shall be responsible for assigning specific tasks and powers to each member of the election management organization at their own level from the preparatory stage through the election day and post-election period until the conclusion of the election as stipulated in Article 28 of the Election Law. Among these assignments, the secretary shall be responsible for managing documents, seals, and summarizing the overall election work of the election management organization.

3. The Election Committee, the Election Board, and the Polling Station Committee shall assign a standing body consisting of the head of the election management organization, the secretary, and some members to promptly direct, monitor, and grasp the situation of elections in the locality. The working regulations of the election management organization must clearly define the responsibilities of the standing body.

Article 9. Activities of election management organizations and responsibilities of members of election management organizations

1. Activities of election management organizations

a) Based on specific conditions, the competent authority may establish election management organizations with the right to mobilize, conscript officials, civil servants, employees from state agencies, public institutions, political organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations at provincial, communal levels, villages, or invite experienced individuals to participate in assisting and supporting the activities of election management organizations upon the proposal of the head of the election management organization;

b) Election management organizations shall organize for all members to thoroughly understand the tasks and powers of each election management organization as stipulated in the Election Law; members of election management organizations must be fully trained in legal provisions, skills, and procedures for conducting elections for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies, with particular emphasis on training procedures for members of the election teams. Training can be conducted through direct, online, or combined direct and online methods;

c) Election management organizations shall carry out tasks as prescribed by the Election Law; they shall implement regular and ad hoc reporting systems regarding the preparation, implementation, and conduct of election work according to the guidance and requirements of higher-level election management organizations and competent state authorities;

Important decisions of local election management organizations must be discussed collectively, approved, and expressed in the form of resolutions similar to other collective operation agencies. For directive, administrative activities or reporting on the organization and conduct of election work to competent authorities, handling complaints and denunciations related to the conduct of election work as prescribed by the Election Law, local election management organizations may issue various administrative documents (programs, plans, reports, letters, notifications, and other forms of documents);

d) In cases where emergency situations such as natural disasters, fires, outbreaks of infectious diseases that pose high infection risks occur in the polling areas or regions, leading to divided terrain, isolation, or complex security and public order situations, election management organizations shall act in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law, guidelines from the National Election Council, this Circular, and instructions from competent authorities;

d) For polling areas permitted by the National Election Council to conduct early voting, local election management organizations shall organize early voting safely, in compliance with regulations, and following the guidelines of the National Election Council;

2. Responsibilities of members of election management organizations

a) The head of the election management organization shall assign, urge, and inspect the performance of specific duties and powers for each member of the election management organization and support staff during the conduct of election work;

b) Members of election management organizations have the responsibility to fully participate in training on legal provisions, skills, and procedures for conducting election work; they must thoroughly understand and properly perform their assigned tasks and powers; they must be impartial, objective, and honest in the execution of their assigned tasks;

c) During the execution of assigned tasks, members of election management organizations must exchange ideas, discuss work, evaluate experiences from completed tasks; the head of the election management organization is responsible for directing, urging, and inspecting members to complete pending tasks and assigning members to undertake subsequent tasks of the election management organization according to the progress of the election work;

d) When performing assigned tasks, especially on election day, members of election management organizations must wear identification badges of their respective election management organizations;

Chapter III

ESTABLISHING, POSTING, REVIEWING, UPDATING THE ELECTOR LIST AND DISTRIBUTING ELECTOR CARDSDISTRIBUTING ELECTOR CARDS                   

Article 10. Establishment and posting of voter lists

1. Regarding authority, principles for establishing and posting voter lists shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the Election Law.

2. For units of the People's Armed Forces determined to be separate polling areas, the establishment and posting of voter lists at these armed force units shall be decided by the Unit Commander. After establishing the voter list at the armed force unit, the Unit Commander shall send it to the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit where the unit is stationed for consolidation and issuance of voter cards at the armed force unit. The People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit must implement confidentiality regarding the number and voter list of the armed force unit in accordance with the law and the request of the Unit Commander.

3. In cases where an armed force unit is stationed on the territory of two or more commune-level administrative units, the Unit Commander shall propose that the People's Committee of the province where the unit is stationed designate the People's Committee of one of the commune-level administrative units to take the lead and coordinate with the Unit Commander to establish the voter list, then issue voter cards to voters at the armed force unit.

In cases where an armed force unit is stationed on the territory of two or more provincial-level administrative units, the Unit Commander shall propose that the People's Committee of the province where the unit's command post is located designate the People's Committee of one of the commune-level administrative units to take the lead and coordinate with the Unit Commander to establish the voter list, then issue voter cards to voters at the armed force unit.

4. For hospitals, maternity homes, convalescent homes, disability care facilities, elderly care facilities with fifty (50) or more voters; compulsory education institutions, compulsory drug rehabilitation centers, temporary detention centers (hereinafter referred to as agencies, organizations, units) determined to be separate polling areas, the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit where the agency, organization, or unit is located shall take the lead and coordinate with the local police station and the head of the agency, organization, or unit to establish and post the voter list.

5. In cases where citizens have registered their permanent residence in a locality but work or live in another locality or abroad, if they have completed procedures to change their place of residence information or declared temporary absence to the locality, they shall be considered not residing permanently in the locality, and the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit where the citizen has registered their permanent residence will not include the name of such citizen in the voter list.

In cases where voters return to their permanent residence within the period from after the voter list has been posted until twenty-four hours before the start of voting, they may go to the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit where they have registered their permanent residence to request inclusion in the voter list and receive a voter card for electing National Assembly deputies and provincial and commune-level People's Council deputies, similar to other voters who have registered to vote at their permanent residence.

6. In cases where citizens have registered their permanent residence in a locality but have been absent for a long time from their permanent residence (living elsewhere or working/studying abroad) without completing procedures to change their place of residence information or declaring temporary absence to the locality, the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit will still include the name of such citizen in the voter list so that they can exercise their right to vote in the locality, except when the voter or a close relative (father, mother, child, full sibling) of the voter has notified the voter's wish not to participate in voting at the permanent residence. Such notification shall be made in writing or by phone to the village chief, neighborhood group leader, or staff responsible for voter list establishment at the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit. The People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit needs to take appropriate measures to inform voters about the establishment of the voter list and the exercise of their right to vote.

7. In cases where individuals suffer from mental illness or other diseases leading to a lack of recognition and control over their actions, but have not had the opportunity for examination and confirmation by competent health authorities, and have not been declared by the court as lacking civil capacity, if their family or guardians provide a commitment and confirmation by local authorities, these individuals shall also be considered as lacking civil capacity and will not be included in the voter list according to Clause 1 of Article 30 of the Election Law.

Individuals with limited civil capacity shall still be included in the voter list to exercise their right to vote in accordance with the law.

8. Ensuring the right to vote for self-migrating people shall be carried out as follows:

a) In cases where self-migrating people are Vietnamese citizens actually living in the area but have not completed registration procedures for permanent or temporary residence with the competent state authorities in the locality, the People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit shall inform citizens about how to exercise their right to vote and the establishment of the voter list so that they decide where to register to exercise their right to vote (they may return to where they are registered for permanent or temporary residence). If voters wish to exercise their right to vote in the locality where they are actually living, the locality shall create conditions to include these voters in the voter list of the corresponding polling area where they are actually living and exercise their right to vote for National Assembly deputies and provincial-level People's Council deputies.

b) In cases where self-migrating people are actually living in the area but do not have documents, materials, or evidence to prove their Vietnamese nationality as stipulated by the Vietnamese Nationality Law, they shall not be included in the voter list.

9. The People's Committee of the commune-level administrative unit shall closely cooperate with the local police station in the establishment, updating, adjustment, posting of voter lists, and printing of voter cards in accordance with the Election Law and Decision No. 8202/QĐ-BCA-C06 dated October 7, 2025, issued by the Minister of Public Security guiding the exploitation and use of the National Population Database and application of national identification (VNeID) in the process of establishing voter lists and printing voter cards to serve the election of National Assembly deputies for the 16th term and provincial-level People's Council deputies for the 2026-2031 term.

10. Provincial People's Committees, Commune People's Committees, and election organizations shall take measures to direct and monitor the situation of voters listed on the voter list within their jurisdiction and in their locality, promptly grasping any changes, and prepare an appropriate number of supplementary ballot boxes, Voter Cards, backup ballots, and other necessary conditions for organizing voting on election day; they shall also supplement "Voted" stamps accompanying the supplementary ballot boxes to ensure convenience for the election process so that voters who cannot reach the polling station can exercise their right to vote.

Article 11. Issuing Voter Cards and Reviewing, Updating the Voter List

1. Within the period from ten days before to three days before election day (from March 5 to March 12, 2026 for elections held on the designated election day), the Election Team must issue Voter Cards to voters in the polling area. The Election Team must closely coordinate with the Public Security Office at the commune level, Village Chiefs, and Ward Heads to review the voter list during the issuance of Voter Cards to voters in the area, paying particular attention to special cases such as voters with disabilities, elderly or sick voters, voters currently detained, those serving compulsory educational measures or compulsory drug rehabilitation measures where detention centers, compulsory educational facilities, or compulsory drug rehabilitation facilities do not organize separate polling areas, isolated voters due to disease prevention and control measures, voters in areas cut off by natural disasters or fires, voters performing tasks at sea or on islands, and voters in quarantine zones. They should develop plans for these voters to exercise their right to vote.

2. Before election day, the Election Team must verify the wishes of voters, especially temporary residents regarding whether they will vote at the location where they are registered on the voter list or elsewhere. If a voter confirms they will vote at the location where they are registered on the voter list, the Election Team shall issue a Voter Card for the voter to exercise their right to vote.

In the case where a voter requests to vote elsewhere, the Election Team shall guide the voter to follow the procedures for voting elsewhere as stipulated in Article 34 of the Election Law. Voters who have already voted elsewhere shall not be counted in the total number of voters in the voter list of the original polling area.

3. If, at the start of voting, the Election Team is unable to contact a voter to issue a Voter Card because the voter, whose name is on the list, is not present at their registered place of residence (or temporary residence) or cannot be reached by other means of communication, the Election Team shall report this to the Commune People's Committee for consideration of removing the person's name from the voter list.

4. If, on election day, the Voter Card is torn, damaged, or lost, the voter must promptly report this to the Election Team. The Election Team shall collect torn or damaged Voter Cards; in the case of a lost Voter Card, the Election Team shall require the voter to write a confirmation letter stating that the Voter Card has been lost (accompanied by presentation of a citizen identification card, passport, or other valid identity document) and request a new Voter Card.

The Election Team is responsible for reporting to the Commune People's Committee to reissue a Voter Card for a voter whose Voter Card has been torn, damaged, or lost. For the case of reissuing a Voter Card due to loss, the Election Team shall note in the voter list the reissuance of the Voter Card due to loss for monitoring purposes when implementing voting on election day to prevent others from using a found lost Voter Card to vote, which could affect the voting results in the polling area.

Article 12. Adjusting and supplementing the voter list in certain cases

1. In cases where voters listed on the voter list of the commune-level administrative unit are subject to centralized quarantine measures or are located in areas under lockdown or isolation (hereinafter referred to as isolated areas) outside their own commune-level administrative units, the People's Committee of the commune where the voter list was established shall be responsible for collecting information, proactively establishing a voter list for the isolated area, and sending it to the People's Committee of the commune where the isolated area is located to supplement these individuals into the voter list for participating in the election of National Assembly deputies and provincial-level People's Council members if, on the day of the election, these individuals are still in the isolated area. If the voter is under medical quarantine, the People's Committee of the commune where the initial voter list was established shall be responsible for updating the voter list with a note stating "voting at another location due to medical quarantine" alongside the voter's name and address.

The People's Committee of the commune where the isolated area is located must promptly grasp information about the number and situation of voters in these areas to coordinate with the People's Committee of the commune where the voter list was initially established to facilitate these voters in exercising their right to vote according to the law.

2. In cases where voters cannot participate in voting at the location where they were registered on the voter list and have requested a Certificate from the People's Committee of the commune where they are listed to participate in voting at another location, their names may be supplemented into the voter list of the location where they can participate in voting to exercise their right to vote as stipulated in Article 34 of the Election Law. The supplementation of names into the voter list in this case will be considered up to the start of the voting time. After the start of the voting time, the People's Committee of the commune will not implement the supplementation of the voter list.

For cases where voters have been included in the voter list at their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence), but have received a Certificate to participate in voting at another location, and later wish to participate in voting at their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence), the establishment, adjustment, and supplementation of the voter list shall be carried out as follows:

a) In cases where voters have presented a Certificate to vote at another location and have had their names supplemented into the voter list at that location, but then return to their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence) and wish to exercise their right to vote there, the voter must notify and request a Certificate from the People's Committee of the commune where they were previously listed on the voter list to request issuance of a Certificate to vote at another location. At the same time, the voter needs to go to the People's Committee of the commune where they reside permanently (or temporarily) to request inclusion in the voter list and receive a Voter Card to exercise their right to vote according to regulations in the polling station at their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence).

b) In cases where voters have not yet presented a Certificate to vote at another location and have not had their names supplemented into the voter list at that location, if they subsequently return to their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence) and wish to exercise their right to vote there, they should return the Certificate issued to them to the People's Committee of the commune where they reside permanently (or temporarily) and request inclusion in the voter list and receive a Voter Card to exercise their right to vote according to regulations in the polling station at their place of permanent residence (or temporary residence).

4. In cases where voters have already received a Voter Card but then move to another isolated area different from the commune-level administrative unit where they registered on the voter list and cannot participate in voting at the location where they were listed, no later than 24 hours before the start of voting, the voter must bring the Voter Card they received to the People's Committee of the commune where they can participate in voting to request inclusion in the voter list and exercise their right to vote in the new area. The People's Committee of the commune receiving the voter's request shall be responsible for retrieving the Voter Card previously issued to the voter, supplementing the voter list, issuing a new Voter Card for the voter to participate in voting in the appropriate polling station in the area, and immediately notifying the People's Committee of the commune where the old Voter Card was issued to update the voter list with information about the voter voting at another location.

5. In cases where voters are listed on the voter list but have not yet received a Voter Card and now wish to participate in voting in another commune-level administrative unit, but due to epidemic prevention conditions or lockdowns, they cannot return to the polling station where they were listed to request a Certificate to vote at another location, they may go to the People's Committee of the commune where they wish to participate in voting to request inclusion in the voter list and exercise their right to vote in the area. The People's Committee of the commune shall create favorable conditions for the voter to have their name supplemented into the voter list in the appropriate polling station in the area and immediately notify the People's Committee of the commune where the voter was previously listed to update the voter list with information about the voter voting at another location.

6. In cases where citizens are temporarily detained or held in custody in a different locality from where they were listed on the voter list within 24 hours before the start of voting, the People's Committee of the commune where the detention facility is located will not implement the supplementation of the citizen's name into the voter list.

Chapter IV

PRE-ELECTION PREPARATORY WORKOF THE ELECTION TEAM

Article 13. Arrangement of Voting Locations

1. Depending on the material conditions at the local level such as cultural houses, conference halls, schools, or other convenient locations, and based on the population density in the voting area, the Election Team shall select appropriate voting locations (voting rooms) to ensure convenience for voters to participate in elections. The voting location must be solemnly decorated economically; entrances for voters to cast their ballots, areas within the voting room, and exits for voters after casting their ballots must be arranged properly; the voting location must ensure security and order.

2. The voting location includes: entrance-exit gate, areas outside the voting room, and areas inside the voting room. The arrangement and decoration of the voting location shall be carried out according to the regulations of the competent authority and the following guidelines:

a) Entrance-exit gate and areas outside the voting room

- The Election Team shall use materials available locally to construct the entrance-exit gate of the voting area;

- Areas outside the voting room are places to welcome voters coming to vote; places to post voter lists, election rules, and voting room regulations; places to organize the opening ceremony (if there is a large hall, the opening ceremony can be held directly in the voting room). Depending on the specific conditions of each voting area, the Election Team may post candidate lists, candidate biographies, National Assembly representative standards, and People's Council representative standards in easily observable places for voters to refer to before voting.

Outside the voting room, tables and chairs can be arranged for voters to wait while they prepare to cast their ballots.

(The entrance-exit gate and areas outside the voting room shall be decorated according to Model No. 01 issued together with this Circular).

b) Areas inside the voting room

- Areas inside the voting room must be arranged solemnly, with sufficient tables, chairs, writing utensils, and necessary conditions for voters to cast their ballots;

- The voting room must have one-way entry and exit paths and follow a certain order, which can be referred to the following layout: (1) At the start of the entry path is the guidance table, where voters present their Voter Cards and receive ballots; (2) The position of the table for voters to fill out ballots; (3) The place for ballot boxes; (4) The table to stamp "Voted" on the Voter Card to confirm that the voter has cast their ballot; (5) The exit path for voters after completing the voting process;

- In the voting room, the Election Team shall post candidate lists, candidate biographies, National Assembly representative standards, and People's Council representative standards in easily observable places for voters to refer to before filling out ballots;

- Where voters fill out ballots, tables with partitions or private rooms must be arranged to ensure the principle of secret ballot as stipulated by the law on elections.

(Areas inside the voting room shall be decorated according to Model No. 02 issued together with this Circular).

3. The head of the Election Team must assign members of the Election Team to take turns guarding the voting location day and night before, during, and after the election until the voting ends; compile and prepare minutes of the ballot count to send to the corresponding Election Board and the People's Committee, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Provincial Committee.

Article 14. Ballot Boxes

The preparation of ballot boxes, the number, and size of ballot boxes depend on the number of voters in the electoral area and the characteristics and conditions of each locality according to the guidelines of the Provincial Election Board. Ballot boxes can be newly made or reused from existing election ballot boxes. Ballot boxes must be sturdy, neatly decorated, with the National Emblem affixed to the front face and the phrase "BALLOT BOX" below it. In addition to the main ballot box, the Election Team must prepare auxiliary ballot boxes (mobile ballot boxes) and sealing tapes for the ballot boxes.

For special voting areas such as oil platforms, sea projects, units, and fleets performing tasks at sea or other special circumstances, the Provincial Election Board shall direct relevant agencies and the Election Teams in special voting areas to fully prepare auxiliary ballot boxes and ballots to effectively carry out voter voting.

Article 15. Receiving election-related materials of the Election Team

The Election Team assigns its members to receive the following types of materials from the People's Committee at the commune level and the Election Board:

1. Voter cards according to the voter list in the polling area and distribute them to voters before the election day as prescribed by the law on elections.

2. Receive the appropriate number of ballots according to the voter list and the number of reserve ballots. When receiving ballots, there must be a handover record between the giver and receiver detailing the specific quantity of each type of ballot. The Election Team must carefully check the ballots regarding the number of representatives to be elected in the electoral unit, the list of names of candidates corresponding to their polling area, and strictly manage the quantities of various types of ballots.

3. The stamp of the Election Team and the stamp "Voted".

4. Various types of minutes and forms of the Election Team as prescribed.

5. The voter list of the polling area.

6. The list and brief biographies of candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at all levels in the polling area.

7. Rules for the voting room, election procedures, sample opening speech, qualifications for National Assembly deputies, and qualifications for People's Council deputies.

8. Badges for members of the Election Team.

9. Office supplies (pens, paper, scissors, rulers, glue, ink pad, etc.).

10. Other election-related materials as directed by the competent authority.

Article 16. Assignment of Tasks to Members of the Election Team

The head of the Election Team assigns specific tasks to each member of the Election Team and the support staff (if any) to perform the following duties:

1. The head is responsible for overall supervision, directly directing activities within the voting room, the voting process, and the counting of votes.

2. The secretary is responsible for managing materials, ballots, stamps, drafting the minutes of the vote counting results.

3. Assign members of the Election Team and support staff (if any) to be responsible for decorating the voting room, directly directing activities outside the voting room, and ensuring material and technical conditions for the Election Team's election day.

4. Assign members of the Election Team to be responsible for checking voter cards, comparing the voter list, marking the number of voters who have voted on the voter list, and distributing ballots stamped by the Election Team to voters.

5. Assign members of the Election Team to be responsible for guiding voters to correctly follow the principles and procedures for casting and filling out ballots.

6. Assign members of the Election Team to be responsible for duty at the table near the ballot box, stamping "Voted" on the front of the voter card when the voter has cast their ballot into the ballot box.

7. Assign members of the Election Team to guide voters entering and exiting the voting room, receiving ballots, filling out ballots, and casting ballots.

8. Assign members of the Election Team and support staff (if any) to be responsible for security, order, and social safety at the polling location.

9. Assign members of the Election Team and support staff (if any) to urge and notify voters to go and cast their ballots.

10. Other tasks related to election work.

Article 17. Review and inspection of election-related tasks by the Election Team before election day

Ten days prior to election day, the Election Team must regularly conduct a review and re-inspection of all types of material and technical equipment serving the election at the polling station, including:

1. The voting room.

2. The official list of candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at various levels along with a brief biography of each candidate.

3. Ballots ensuring they correspond to the electoral unit, polling station, and the full name listed on the official list of candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the electoral unit and polling station.

4. The seals of the Election Team.

5. The main ballot box and any additional ballot boxes (if applicable).

6. Minutes and forms of the Election Team.

7. Participants in the opening ceremony, the opening speech, and office supplies for the election process.

8. Reviewing the voter list of the polling station, particularly identifying voters with disabilities, the elderly, those who are sick and unable to vote directly; those under temporary detention, those serving compulsory educational measures or compulsory drug rehabilitation measures where the detention center, educational facility, or drug rehabilitation facility does not organize a separate polling station; those under temporary custody at a temporary detention facility; those under quarantine due to disease (if applicable); areas isolated due to natural disasters or fires to prepare ballots and bring additional ballot boxes to these locations so that voters can exercise their right to vote. At the same time, the Election Team must take appropriate measures such as posting notices, broadcasting announcements, or sending information about the official list of candidates to ensure voters have sufficient information to choose suitable representatives for the National Assembly and People's Councils at various levels.

9. Other material and technical equipment serving the election day activities of the Election Team.

Article 18. Management of election documents and ballots by the Election Team

After receiving election documents and ballots from the Election Board, the Head of the Election Team must assign specific members to strictly manage the documents and ballots, especially the ballots. The Election Team must establish a ballot management logbook, tracking the number of ballots received, distributed, collected, sealed, and stored according to regulations. In case of loss of election documents or ballots, the Election Team must immediately record this in a report and inform the Election Board to promptly address the situation.

Article 19. Regular Information Before Election Day by the Election Team

1. The Election Team collaborates with the People's Committee at the commune level to widely disseminate information and propaganda to ensure voters understand the legal provisions regarding elections; create the most favorable conditions and ensure that all voters can exercise their right to vote.

2. Within ten days before election day, the Election Team must regularly notify voters at the polling station about the election date, polling location, and voting time through posting notices, broadcasting, and other local mass media.

Chapter V

ELECTION DAY TASKS OF THE ELECTION TEAM

Article 20. Voting Time and Preparations Before Voting

1. The voting time shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 71 of the Election Law.

2. Prior to conducting the vote, the Election Committee must organize the opening ceremony. Members of the Election Committee must arrive early before the opening hour to check the preparatory work and ensure that the opening time is on schedule as prescribed.

3. After thoroughly checking all necessary conditions for the election day, the Election Committee will organize the opening ceremony and proceed with the voting process.

Article 21. Organization of the Opening Ceremony for the Election

1. Participants in the opening ceremony:

a) Members of the Election Committee and those responsible for election-related tasks;

b) Representatives from local party and government agencies, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and local organizations;

c) Representatives of voters who have made contributions to the revolution, religious dignitaries (if any), elderly voters, and voters with prestige among ethnic minority communities;

d) Voters attending the opening ceremony;

đ) Journalists from newspapers and radio stations (if any).

2. Procedure for organizing the opening ceremony:

The opening ceremony must be solemnly organized, lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes, chaired by the Head of the Election Committee according to the following content and sequence:

a) Salute the flag, state the purpose, introduce representatives;

b) Read the opening speech;

c) Read the election rules and polling room regulations;

d) Inspect the main ballot box and auxiliary ballot box in the presence of voters; invite two voters who are not candidates for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the polling station to witness the inspection of the ballot boxes, then seal the main ballot box and auxiliary ballot box in accordance with regulations.

3. After completing the sealing procedure for the ballot boxes, the Head of the Election Committee declares the start of the voting for the 16th term National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies of various levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.

4. The Election Committee must arrange for members of the Election Committee to be stationed beside the ballot box to guide voters in casting their votes and protect the ballot box.

Article 22. Conducting the Vote

1. When starting the voting, the Election Committee invites voters listed in the voter list who are leaders of local party committees, local government authorities, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, contributors to the revolution, religious dignitaries (if any), and the oldest voters and those with prestige among ethnic minority communities (if any) present at the opening of the voting to cast their votes first.

2. The voting process must be continuous. The Election Committee must regularly inform and guide voters to comply with legal provisions on elections, election rules, and polling room regulations; instruct voters on how to cast their ballots and mark their ballots; urge voters to actively exercise their rights and obligations in the election.

3. Voters must cast their votes themselves and may not ask others to vote on their behalf, except in cases stipulated in Clauses 3 and 4 of Article 69 of the Election Law. Upon entering the polling room, voters must present their Voter Card to receive the ballot.

4. When voters write their ballots, no one, including members of the Election Committee, may look. If voters make a mistake or damage their ballots while writing them, they have the right to exchange for another ballot. If voters cannot write their ballots themselves, they may ask someone else to write it for them but must cast the ballot themselves. The person writing the ballot must read aloud the full names of the candidates on the ballot so that the voter can make their own decision. The person writing the ballot must truthfully record the voter's wishes and ensure the secrecy of the ballot. After completing the ballot, it must be handed back to the voter so that the voter can cast it into the ballot box themselves. Disabled persons, the elderly, or other cases where they cannot cast their ballots into the ballot box may ask someone else to cast the ballot into the ballot box.

5. During the voting process, if an unusual situation occurs that disrupts the voting, the Head of the Election Committee and members of the Election Committee must quickly consult to promptly address the issue. In cases exceeding their authority or unable to resolve independently, the voting must be temporarily suspended, the Election Committee must seal and strictly manage the ballot box, ballots, and related documents, promptly report to the Election Board for resolution measures, and take necessary actions to continue the voting process.

6. The Election Committee must stamp "Voted" on the front left corner of the Voter Card of voters who have completed their voting.

Article 23. Points to Note on Election Day

1. Based on the scale, number of voters in each polling station area and the characteristics, situation in the locality, the People's Commune Council and the Election Team shall develop plans and schedules for voting to proactively regulate and divide the voting time for voters in each village, residential group, community cluster, household group, etc., and widely inform the voters in the polling station area, ensuring that at the same time during the election day, there will not be too many people gathered in the voting room.

2. During the voting process, members of the Election Team must be courteous, guide voters attentively and thoroughly when they come to participate in voting. Members of the Election Team assigned specific tasks on Election Day must actively perform their assigned duties and support other members in completing the common tasks of the Election Team.

3. Members of the Election Team shall provide detailed guidance to voters on the method of voting. If a voter does not trust any candidate (does not vote for anyone named on the ballot), then draw a horizontal line across both the surname and name of the candidate (draw over all characters of the candidate's surname and name); do not circle; do not mark on the ballot; do not write additional names; do not vote for more representatives than the number specified on the ballot; do not strike out all candidates on the ballot; do not leave the ballot blank (do not strike out any candidate's name) for ballots with surplus candidates.

4. If a voter requests a new ballot due to writing errors, the Election Team must collect the damaged ballot from the voter before issuing a new ballot.

5. When a voter has a Voter Card and a Certificate for Voting at Another Polling Station issued by the People's Commune Council where they reside or by the Military Unit Commander, if the name of this voter is not included in the supplementary list of the People's Commune Council at the polling station area, the Election Team must guide them to the People's Commune Council office to be added to the voter list. The addition to the voter list must correspond to the location proposed by the People's Commune Council where they reside or by the Military Unit Commander on the Certificate for Voting at Another Polling Station.

The supplementary voter list must clearly identify those who are eligible to vote for National Assembly deputies and provincial People's Council deputies. After obtaining the supplementary voter list confirmed by the People's Commune Council, the Election Team may issue ballots to these voters; once these voters have completed voting, the Election Team must stamp "Voted" on the front of the Voter Card and the Certificate for Voting at Another Polling Station. The Election Team must record the supplementary voter list separately for monitoring and data compilation after the voting ends.

6. In cases where a secondary ballot box must be used, the Head of the Election Team is responsible for checking the number of ballots distributed to team members to carry along with the secondary ballot box to voters who are persons with disabilities, sick, elderly; those currently under temporary detention, those serving compulsory educational measures or compulsory drug rehabilitation measures but the detention center, educational facility, or drug rehabilitation facility does not organize a separate polling station; those currently detained at a temporary detention center; those currently under social isolation due to disease (if applicable) at the isolation facility or place of residence or stay of the isolated voter; areas cut off due to natural disasters, fires, at offshore platforms, sea-based projects, units, and ships performing tasks at sea, islands to conduct voting because they cannot reach the polling station. After these voters have completed voting, the team members must immediately return the secondary ballot box to the polling station.

7. The issuance of ballots to voters and the organization of voting for voters under social isolation due to disease (if applicable) must be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law on elections, while ensuring full preventive and control measures against diseases according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the regulations of the competent authority. After completing the voting, the team members must disinfect the secondary ballot box and immediately return it to the polling station as stipulated.

8. In cases where the use of a secondary ballot box for voters in areas cut off due to natural disasters, fires, at offshore platforms, sea-based projects, units, and ships performing tasks at sea, islands, after the voters have completed voting but due to objective factors such as natural disasters, fires, the cut-off area prevents the secondary ballot box from being returned to the polling station on the same election day (or early election day already set), the team members responsible for the secondary ballot box are permitted to conduct the counting of votes in the cut-off area due to natural disasters, fires, at offshore platforms, sea-based projects, units, and ships performing tasks at sea, islands in accordance with Article 73 of the Election Law, as guided in this Circular, and report the counting results via telegraph, telephone, or other appropriate means to the Head of the Election Team. The team members must be responsible for the accuracy of the information about the counting results; submit the secondary ballot box, ballots, and counting results of the secondary ballot box immediately upon returning to the polling station.

9. The Election Team shall not allow individuals without assigned tasks (except voters) into the polling station. Weapons, explosives, flammable materials, documents, banners, slogans containing harmful, malicious content, propaganda of incorrect viewpoints, hostility, distortion of Party policies, State policies, local government policies... shall not be brought into the polling area or polling station.

10. Voters have the right to film and take photographs outside the polling booth during the process of exercising their voting rights, but must ensure that it is done in good faith, without affecting the normal operations of the Election Committee, hindering the voting of voters, and not violating the rules of the polling booth (filming and taking photographs inside the polling booth is only allowed with the consent of the Head of the Election Committee and must ensure the confidentiality of other voters' ballots throughout the voting process). In cases where filming and photographing hinder or affect the election, the Head of the Election Committee has the authority to request the cessation of filming and photographing in the polling area and within the polling booth.

Article 24. Ending the Voting Process and Conducting Ballot Counting

1. After the end of the voting time as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 71 of the Election Law, the Head of the Election Committee announces the conclusion of the voting process. Only after the voting process ends can the Election Committee open the ballot box for counting.

2. The ballot counting must be conducted in the polling booth immediately after the election concludes, except in the cases specified in Clause 8 of Article 23 of this Circular. Only members of the Election Committee may conduct the ballot counting. The Election Committee must complete the ballot counting within a period not exceeding 24 hours from the end of the voting process at the polling area.

3. Before opening the ballot box, the Election Committee must tally and seal unused ballots and spoiled ballots (if any), prepare a tally report on the use of ballots according to the form issued by the National Election Council; all unused ballots and spoiled ballots sealed will be sent to the People's Committee of the commune for management.

4. The Head of the Election Committee opens the main ballot box and the auxiliary ballot box (if any) to proceed with the ballot counting. Prior to opening the ballot box, the Head of the Election Committee invites two literate voters with good standing in the community and who are not candidates for National Assembly deputies or People's Council representatives at that polling area to witness the opening of the ballot box.

5. Candidates, representatives of agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates, or persons authorized have the right to witness the ballot counting and lodge complaints about the ballot counting; journalists are permitted to witness the ballot counting of the Election Committee, but must ensure a safe distance for the Election Committee to perform its counting duties.

6. Registration to participate in witnessing the ballot counting and lodging complaints about the ballot counting as provided for in Clause 5 of this Article shall be carried out as follows:

a) Candidates present their Identity Card or other valid identification documents; representatives of agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates present the assignment document, designation document, or introduction letter from the agency, organization, unit, and their Identity Card or other valid identification documents; authorized persons present their authorization letter and their Identity Card or other valid identification documents; journalists present their valid press card and assignment document or introduction letter from the media organization to the Head of the Election Committee.

b) During the process of witnessing the ballot counting, if any violation of the law is discovered, candidates, representatives of agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates, or authorized persons have the right to lodge complaints or report at the scene to the Election Committee. Complaint resolution shall be carried out in accordance with Article 75 of the Election Law.

c) To ensure the successful and lawful conduct of the election of National Assembly deputies and People's Council representatives at various levels, while safeguarding the legitimate rights of candidates and related individuals and organizations, candidates, representatives of agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates, or authorized persons are responsible for contacting the Election Committee in advance regarding participation in witnessing the ballot counting; observing the ballot counting process from positions arranged by the Election Committee; complying with laws, polling booth rules, and instructions from the Election Committee; ensuring safety and order, without affecting the normal operations of the Election Committee; lodging complaints or reports to the Election Committee if any violation of the law is discovered during the ballot counting process.

Journalists are responsible for adhering to laws on journalism, polling booth rules, and instructions from the Election Committee during their work; not affecting the normal operations of the Election Committee; promptly, truthfully, and accurately reporting on the ballot counting process to contribute to the information and publicity work of the election of National Assembly deputies and People's Council representatives at various levels.

Foreign journalists wishing to participate in and report on activities on election day in Vietnam shall comply with the provisions of Government Decree No. 88/2012/NĐ-CP dated October 23, 2012, concerning the operation of foreign press, diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam.

The Election Committee is responsible for guiding and creating favorable conditions for candidates, representatives of agencies, organizations, units introducing candidates, or authorized persons, and journalists to participate in witnessing the ballot counting. Arranging convenient observation and witnessing positions without affecting the ballot counting activities of the Election Committee; resolving complaints and reports about the ballot counting (if any) and recording the resolution content in the complaint resolution record. If unresolved, the Election Committee's opinion must be clearly recorded in the complaint resolution record and transferred to the relevant Election Committee for the complaint content. The Head of the Election Committee has the authority to request witnesses and journalists to leave the counting area if they violate the polling booth rules, cause disorder, or affect the operations of the Election Committee.

7. The ballot counting process shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 25, 26, 27, and 28 of this Circular. Depending on the specific circumstances of each locality, the Provincial Election Committee may provide guidance on organizing the ballot counting process accordingly.

In cases where information technology applications and digital transformation are utilized in conducting the ballot counting process, the Election Team shall implement the ballot counting procedures in accordance with the guidelines provided by the competent authority of the locality regarding the application of information technology and digital transformation in conducting the ballot counting process.

Article 25. Assignment of Duties for Ballot Counting to Members of the Election Team

1. The Head of the Election Team shall assign members of the Election Team into groups to carry out the ballot counting process. If the Election Team has sufficient members to form three or more groups, the assignment shall be made as follows:

- Groups responsible for counting ballots for National Assembly deputies;

- Groups responsible for counting ballots for provincial People's Council deputies;

- Groups responsible for counting ballots for commune-level People's Council deputies.

To ensure accuracy in the ballot counting process, each group should consist of three people, including: one person to read the voting results, one person to record (mark) the ballot counting list, and one person to check the reading and recording processes.

For Election Teams that do not have enough members to form three groups, the Head of the Election Team shall appropriately assign groups responsible for counting ballots for National Assembly deputies and provincial and commune-level People's Council deputies.

2. The Secretary of the Election Team shall prepare minutes of the ballot counting results.

Article 26. Classification of Ballots

1. The Election Team shall classify ballots according to the color of ballots for National Assembly deputies, the color of ballots for provincial People's Council deputies, and the color of ballots for commune-level People's Council deputies; they shall also tally (count) the total number of ballots in the ballot box to determine the number of ballots received and distribute them to the assigned groups within the Election Team to begin the ballot counting process.

2. The Election Team shall verify the total number of ballots received against the total number of voters who participated in the voting. If the total number of ballots received equals or is less than the total number of voters who participated in the voting, the Election Team may proceed with the ballot counting process. If the total number of ballots received exceeds the total number of voters who participated in the voting, the Election Team must recheck; if the recheck still shows that the total number of ballots received exceeds the total number of voters who participated in the voting, all ballots shall be immediately placed back into the ballot box, the ballot box sealed, and an immediate report made to the Election Board for resolution. If the matter exceeds the authority of the Election Board, the Election Board must promptly report to the Provincial Election Committee for consideration and decision.

3. Prior to commencing the ballot counting process, the Election Team shall classify ballots into the following two categories:

a) Valid ballots;

b) Invalid ballots.

4. After completing the classification of ballots, the Election Team must record the results of the verification of valid and invalid ballots in the minutes of the ballot counting results.

Article 27. Determination of Valid and Invalid Ballots, and Ballots Indicating Voting or Not Voting for Candidates

1. A valid ballot must meet all of the following requirements:

a) It is issued by the Election Team and bears the seal of the Election Team;

b) It contains the correct number of candidates or fewer than the number of candidates designated for the electoral unit;

c) It does not contain additional names of individuals outside the list of candidates or additional content.

2. An invalid ballot is one that falls under the cases specified in Clause 1 of Article 74 of the Election Law.

3. Based on Clause 2 of Article 74 of the Election Law, the Head of the Election Team shall present for the entire Election Team to consider the invalid ballots in the following cases:

a) Ballots containing additional content or marked on the ballot;

b) Ballots where the marking of the candidate's name obscures the candidate's name to the point it cannot be clearly identified;

c) Damaged ballots making it impossible to accurately determine the voting for the candidates listed on the ballot;

d) Other cases proposed by the Head of the Election Team.

4. Regarding the determination of ballots indicating voting or not voting for candidates

a) In cases where a ballot marks a cross, diagonal line, vertical line, or horizontal line but crosses out all the rows of the candidate's name, it shall be considered a ballot indicating non-voting for that candidate;

b) In cases where a voter does not mark the entire row of the candidate's name (only marks the surname or middle name or given name), or only circles, underlines, or overlines the candidate's name, such a ballot shall still be considered a ballot indicating voting for that candidate;

c) In cases where a ballot contains both the candidate's birth name and common name or their position, religious title, or religious name, if the voter only marks one line of the birth name or common name (or only marks one line of the birth name or religious title for religious officials), such a ballot shall be considered a ballot indicating non-voting for that candidate.

Article 28. Counting Votes for Each Candidate

1. The vote counting for each candidate shall only be conducted with valid ballots. Valid ballots are classified into types, including: Type 01 representative ballot; type 02 representative ballot; type 03 representative ballot,...

2. The election committee counts ballots according to the types of ballots specified in Clause 1 of this Article to serve as the basis for determining the number of votes for each candidate.

3. The method of recording the number of votes for each candidate refers to the method of drawing squares and diagonals sequentially, with every five votes forming a square with a diagonal.

Article 29. Sealing and Managing Ballots After Counting Votes

1. After counting votes and preparing the minutes of the vote counting results, the election committee proceeds to seal ballots according to the types of ballots for National Assembly representatives and People's Council representatives at various levels as follows:

a) Number of valid ballots;

b) Number of invalid ballots;

c) Number of unused ballots, spoiled ballots of voters.

2. All sealed ballots as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article must be placed in the ballot box by the election committee and procedures for sealing the ballot box with signatures of the Committee Chairperson and the Secretary of the election committee must be completed, and then handed over to the People's Committee of the commune for management and storage in accordance with regulations. The handover of the ballot box must be recorded in a handover receipt.

3. The People's Committee of the commune is responsible for receiving, managing, and storing various types of ballots and ballot boxes from local election committees. During the period of managing the ballot box (including all types of ballots) as stipulated by the law on archiving (at least five years), if there is no written opinion from the competent authority, it is strictly prohibited to open and check the sealed ballots in the ballot box.

The Provincial People's Committee directs the implementation of digitizing election files and documents after receiving them to serve future reference, exploitation, and use, ensuring information security and data confidentiality as prescribed.

Article 30. On Preparing Minutes of Election Vote Counting Results

1. The minutes of the election vote counting results of the election committee are carried out according to the forms attached to Resolution No. 40/NQ-HĐBCQG dated September 29, 2025 of the National Election Council, which specifies the model of candidacy application forms, voting ballot forms, polling room rules, and other types of documents used in the election of National Assembly deputies of the 16th term and People's Council deputies at various levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.

2. Except for the cases provided for in Point d Clause 4 of Article 31 of this Circular, the consolidation of vote counting results from polling areas (including early polling areas) sent by the election committees to confirm the election results in the electoral unit can only be conducted by the election board after March 15, 2026, and implemented in accordance with Article 77 of the Election Law.

Article 31. Organization of Voting in Early Polling Areas

1. In cases where early voting must be organized for voters due to special circumstances such as performing duties or work on sea islands or other special circumstances, the provincial election council must submit a report requesting approval from the National Election Council.

2. Immediately after the National Election Council issues a document agreeing to conduct early voting, local authorities and organizations responsible for elections in areas organizing early voting must promptly issue plans and schemes for organizing early voting and intensify information dissemination and propaganda about the election. The election committees must regularly inform voters in early polling areas about the date of early voting determined by the National Election Council, the polling place, and the voting time through posting notices, broadcasting, and other local mass media. Organizations responsible for elections must review all tasks to be performed before, during, and after the election day to ensure compliance with legal deadlines.

3. The time of voting, principles, and procedures for early voting are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law, guidelines of the National Election Council, and this Circular.

4. The vote counting and ballot box management in early polling areas are carried out as follows:

a) On the day of voting, immediately after the election ends, the election committee conducts vote counting, prepares the minutes of the vote counting results, and seals the ballots in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 Chapter VIII of the Election Law, guidelines of the National Election Council, and this Circular;

b) The minutes of vote counting in early polling areas must be sealed by the election committee and sent to the corresponding election boards and People's Committees, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level no later than three days after the early voting day. In exceptional cases due to geographical distance, natural disasters, fires, epidemics, if the election committee in the early polling area cannot send the minutes of the vote counting results within the aforementioned deadline, they may send it later, but no later than March 18, 2026, to the corresponding election boards and People's Committees, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level for consolidation of the overall election results of the electoral unit;

c) After vote counting and preparation of the minutes of the vote counting results, the election committee in the early polling area must proceed to seal the ballots, place them in the ballot box, complete the procedures for sealing the ballot box with signatures of the Committee Chairperson and the Secretary of the election committee, and send it to the People's Committee of the commune for management in accordance with Article 29 of this Circular;

d) Do not disclose the vote counting results in early polling areas to avoid affecting other polling areas in the same electoral unit. The election boards and People's Committees, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the commune level, upon receiving the minutes of the vote counting results from the early polling areas sent by the election committee, have the responsibility to manage them as confidential documents and can only open the sealed envelopes containing the minutes of the vote counting results after the end of the election on March 15, 2026, except for the cases provided for in this point.

đ) In the case where the entire voting area of a constituency has been permitted by the National Election Council to conduct early voting and has completed the early voting process, the Electoral Board shall open the sealed ballot box containing the tally sheet and establish a certificate determining the election results in that constituency in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and Members of the People's Councils.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 32. Situations that may arise before, during, and after the day of the election

1. In areas where there is a sudden outbreak of disease, the provincial Election Board shall report to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and guidance on organizing the election in compliance with current laws, following the principle that localities should proactively develop the best plans to deliver mobile ballot boxes and ballots to voters affected by the disease. At the same time, it is requested that the provincial People's Committee direct measures to prevent and control the disease according to the instructions of competent authorities.

In cases where a disease outbreak makes it impossible to hold the vote on the scheduled election day or where social distancing or lockdown measures must be implemented due to the disease, the provincial Election Board shall promptly propose and report detailed plans (including timing, methods of conducting the vote, and other necessary actions) to the National Election Council for examination and decision.

2. In areas where emergencies such as natural disasters or fires occur, causing terrain separation and preventing voters from reaching polling stations, the various levels of Election Boards shall direct the Election Teams to find the best solutions to deliver mobile ballot boxes and ballots to these voters so they can receive ballots and participate in the election.

3. In situations where security and public order are complex or there is a high risk of security and public order issues, the provincial Election Board shall immediately report to the provincial People's Committee to promptly develop plans to ensure safety for the election.

4. In cases where situations arising under Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article have been resolved by local competent authorities but cannot be handled or exceed their authority, or where unexpected incidents directly affect the election, the provincial Election Board shall promptly report to the National Election Council for examination and decision on organizing the election in those areas.

Article 33. Information and Reporting System on Elections

1. Based on legal regulations, guidelines of the National Election Council and the Government, the Prime Minister, the provincial People's Committees, and the provincial Election Boards shall guide and direct the implementation of the information and reporting system of election organizations at the grassroots level to higher-level election organizations and competent authorities, ensuring truthfulness, objectivity, and timeliness.

2. On the day of the election, a rapid periodic information and reporting system shall be implemented at the following times (9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM), with the following contents:

a) The organization of the opening ceremony of the election (for the first report at 9:00 AM);

b) The progress and development of the election; voter participation rate;

c) The atmosphere of the election day, public opinion among the people about the election and candidates for deputies to the National Assembly and members of the People's Councils at all levels;

d) Advantages and difficulties related to transportation, communication, weather conditions affecting the election;

đ) The situation of the election in places approved by the National Election Council for early voting (first report at 9:00 AM);

e) Political security, public order, safety situations in areas with high infection risks due to disease outbreaks, areas affected by natural disasters or fires; situations in hotspots and handling thereof (if applicable);

g) Material and technical conditions serving the election day;

h) Emergent situations requiring immediate guidance and resolution during the election organization process (if applicable).

3. Reporting on preliminary and final election results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Elections.

Article 34. Responsibilities for Implementation

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the permanent agency, advising the Government and the Prime Minister within the scope and authority delegated and according to the division of labor by the National Election Council to implement guidance, organization, and training of election-related business operations.

2. The Department of Home Affairs (at provincial level), the Culture and Social Affairs Office (at commune level) are the permanent agencies and coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level to advise and assist the Provincial Election Committee and Commune Election Committee in implementing election work at the local level.

3. Based on the provisions of the Election Law and this Circular, the heads of organizations responsible for elections assign specific tasks and authorities to each member of their own level's election responsibility organization.

4. People's Committees at all levels, local election responsibility organizations, Departments of Home Affairs, and Cultural and Social Affairs Offices at the commune level are responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 35. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from the date of signature.

2. During the process of implementing this Circular, if there are emerging issues or difficulties in the business operations related to organizing the election of National Assembly deputies for the sixteenth term and People's Council deputies for the 2026-2031 term, it is requested that the People's Committees and Provincial Election Committees promptly report to the National Election Council Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs for timely resolution./.