Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and the Law on Election of Deputies to the People's Councils No. 63/2010/QH12

LAW

Amending and supplementing certain Articles of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies

and the Law on Election of People's Council Deputies

_________________

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1992 as amended and supplemented by Resolution number 51/2001/QH10;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law amending and supplementing certain Articles of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies 1997 which has been amended and supplemented by the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies No. 31/2001/QH10 and the Law on Election of People's Council Deputies No. 13/2003/QH11.

Article 1

Amending and supplementing certain Articles of the Law on Election of National Assembly Deputies.

1. Article 12 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 12

1. Each electoral unit for National Assembly deputies shall be divided into several polling stations. Polling stations for electing National Assembly deputies are simultaneously polling stations for electing deputies to People's Councils at all levels.

2. Each polling station shall have from three hundred to four thousand voters. In mountainous areas, islands, and places where residents are not concentrated, even if there are fewer than three hundred voters, a polling station may still be established.

The division of polling stations shall be decided by the People's Committee of communes, wards, towns and approved by the higher-level People's Committee. For places without commune, ward, or town administrative units, the division of polling stations shall be decided by the People's Committee of districts, cities under provinces, and provincial cities.

Military units shall establish separate polling stations, except in cases where military units and localities share a polling station.

Hospitals, maternity homes, convalescent homes, disability care facilities, and elderly care facilities with fifty or more voters may establish separate polling stations.

Educational institutions and correctional facilities for those serving administrative penalty decisions may establish separate polling stations."

2. Article 13 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 13

Organizations responsible for the election of National Assembly deputies include:

1. The Central Election Council;

2. The Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies in provinces and centrally-administered cities;

3. The Electoral Board in each electoral unit;

4. The Polling Station Board in each polling station."

3. Article 14 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 14

1. Not later than one hundred and five days before the election day, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall establish the Central Election Council to implement the work of electing National Assembly and People's Council deputies at all levels. The Central Election Council shall consist of fifteen to twenty-one members including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary-General, and members representing the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and relevant agencies and organizations.

2. Regarding the election of National Assembly deputies, the Central Election Council shall have the following tasks and powers:

a) Leading and directing the organization of elections nationwide; inspecting and urging the implementation of laws on elections;

b) Directing information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization activities;

c) Directing security, public order, and social safety during the election;

d) Receiving and examining the files of candidates introduced by political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, and armed forces at the central level for election as National Assembly deputies; sending brief biographies of candidates to the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front;

đ) Receiving candidate lists and files submitted by the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies;

e) Prescribing the model voter card and ballot for National Assembly deputies;

g) Establishing and announcing the list of candidates for National Assembly deputies by electoral unit throughout the country;

h) Resolving complaints and denunciations regarding the election of National Assembly deputies from the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies, the Electoral Board, and the Polling Station Board; resolving complaints and denunciations about the election of National Assembly deputies transferred by the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies or the Electoral Board; resolving complaints and denunciations about candidates for National Assembly deputies; resolving complaints about the election results of National Assembly deputies;

i) Receiving and examining the election result certification documents sent by the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies, the Electoral Board; preparing a summary report of the National Assembly deputy election nationwide;

k) Deciding on re-election, additional election of National Assembly deputies, or nullification of the election results of National Assembly deputies in electoral units;

l) Announcing the election results of National Assembly deputies nationwide;

m) Issuing certificates of election for National Assembly deputies;

n) Submitting the summary report of the National Assembly deputy election nationwide and related documents to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the new National Assembly session.

"Article 15. Contents of field trials of genetically modified organisms

"Article 15

1. Not later than ninety-five days before the election day, the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committee of the People's Council and the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, shall decide to establish the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies to implement the work of electing National Assembly and People's Council deputies at the provincial level. The Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies shall consist of twenty-one to thirty-one members including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary, and members representing the Standing Committee of the People's Council, the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, and relevant agencies and organizations.

The list of members of the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies must be reported to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Central Election Council.

2. Regarding the election of National Assembly deputies, the Provincial Election Council for National Assembly and People's Council deputies shall have the following tasks and powers:

a) Directing the preparation and organization of the election of National Assembly deputies in electoral units; inspecting and urging the implementation of laws on elections of National Assembly deputies by the Electoral Board and the Polling Station Board;

b) Directing the implementation of information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization activities for the election of National Assembly deputies in the locality;

c) Directing the implementation of security, public order, and social safety during the election of National Assembly deputies in the locality;

d) Receive and examine the files of individuals nominated for election as National Assembly deputies by political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, people's armed forces, local state agencies, and the files of self-nominated candidates for National Assembly deputies; send the list of nominees and brief biographies of both nominated and self-nominated candidates for National Assembly deputies to the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Councils and the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

đ) Receive election materials and ballots for National Assembly deputies from the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities and distribute them to electoral boards at least twenty-five days before the election day.

e) Compile the list of candidates for National Assembly deputies according to each electoral district and report to the Election Council.

g) Direct and inspect the compilation and posting of voter lists.

h) Resolve complaints and denunciations regarding the National Assembly deputy election work of electoral boards and polling stations; resolve complaints and denunciations regarding the National Assembly deputy election forwarded by electoral boards and polling stations; resolve complaints and denunciations regarding candidates for National Assembly deputies.

i) Receive and examine the minutes certifying the election results of National Assembly deputies from electoral boards; compile the minutes certifying the election results of National Assembly deputies at the local level.

k) Announce the election results of National Assembly deputies at the local level.

l) Report on the organization and conduct of the National Assembly deputy election as prescribed by the Election Council.

m) Transfer the files and minutes certifying the election results of National Assembly deputies to the Election Council.

n) Organize the re-election and additional election of National Assembly deputies according to the decision of the Election Council.

5. Article 16 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 16

1. At least sixty days before the election day, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committees of the People's Councils and the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, decide to establish an electoral board in each electoral district consisting of nine to fifteen members including the Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons, Secretary, and members who are representatives of the Standing Committees of the People's Councils, People's Committees, Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, and relevant agencies and organizations.

2. The electoral board has the following tasks and powers:

a) Inspect and urge the implementation of laws on the election of National Assembly deputies by polling stations.

b) Inspect and urge the arrangement of voting rooms.

c) Inspect the compilation and posting of voter lists.

d) Distribute election materials and ballots for National Assembly deputies to polling stations at least fifteen days before the election day.

đ) Post the list of candidates for National Assembly deputies in the electoral district.

e) Direct and inspect the election work of National Assembly deputies at voting rooms.

g) Receive and examine the minutes certifying the vote counting results of National Assembly deputies sent by polling stations; compile the minutes certifying the election results of National Assembly deputies in the electoral district to send to the Election Council, the National Assembly Election Committee, and provincial-level People's Council deputies.  

h) Receive and transfer complaints and denunciations about candidates for National Assembly deputies to the National Assembly Election Committee and provincial-level People's Council deputies; resolve complaints and denunciations about the election work of National Assembly deputies by polling stations.

i) Report on the organization and conduct of the National Assembly deputy election as prescribed by the Election Council, the National Assembly Election Committee, and provincial-level People's Council deputies.

k) Transfer election-related files and materials to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

l) Organize the implementation of the re-election and additional election of National Assembly deputies.

"Article 17. Competence, procedures, and formalities for recognizing and revoking decisions to recognize testing facilities for genetically modified organisms

"Article 17

1. At least thirty-five days before the election day, the People's Committees of communes, wards, towns, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committees of the People's Councils and the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, decide to establish a polling station in each polling area to carry out the election work of National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at all levels. A polling station consists of eleven to twenty-one members including the Station Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Secretary, and members who are representatives of state agencies, political-social organizations, social organizations, and voter groups in the locality.

In places without commune, ward, or town administrative units, the People's Committees of districts, urban districts, provincial cities, and cities directly under the province, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committees of the People's Councils and the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, decide to establish a polling station in each polling area consisting of eleven to twenty-one members including the Station Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Secretary, and members who are representatives of state agencies, political-social organizations, social organizations, and voter groups in the locality.

Military units establish a polling station in each polling area consisting of five to nine members including the Station Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Secretary, and members who are representatives of the Unit Command and military personnel.

In cases where military units and localities share the same polling area, the People's Committees of communes, wards, towns, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committees of the People's Councils, the Standing Committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, and the Unit Command, decide to establish a polling station consisting of eleven to twenty-one members including the Station Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Secretary, and members who are representatives of state agencies, political-social organizations, social organizations, and voter groups in the locality, representatives of the Unit Command, and military personnel.

2. Polling stations have the following tasks and powers:

a) Be responsible for the election work in the polling area.

b) Arrange voting rooms and prepare ballot boxes.

c) Receive election materials and ballots from the electoral board; issue voter cards and ballots stamped by the polling station to voters.

d) Regularly inform voters of the election date, polling place, and voting time at least ten days before the election day.

đ) Ensure strict compliance with the rules of the voting room.

e) Resolve complaints and denunciations regarding the election work they are responsible for.

g) Count votes and compile the minutes of the vote count to send to the electoral board.

h) Hand over the minutes of the vote count and all ballots to the People's Committees of communes, wards, towns.

i) Report on the organization and conduct of the election as prescribed by higher-level election management organizations.

k) Organize the re-election or additional election.

7. Article 21 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 21

The Election Council completes its duties regarding the election of National Assembly deputies after submitting to the new National Assembly session the summary report of the election of National Assembly deputies and the election files and documents.

The Election Committee for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the provincial level, the Election Board, and the Polling Station complete their duties regarding the election of National Assembly deputies after the Election Council concludes the work of summarizing the election activities of National Assembly deputies nationwide.

b) When performing duties and discovering events with signs of crime or receiving reports and accusations of crime as stipulated in Articles 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, and 281 of Part I of Chapter XXI of the Penal Code 2015, the Head of the Provincial Public Security Agency's Road Traffic and Railway Traffic Police Division shall perform the duties and powers set out in Article 38 of the Law on the Organization of Investigative Agencies 2015 for these crimes;

Article 25

At least thirty-five days before the election day, the agency responsible for compiling the voter list must post that list at the offices of the People's Commune, Ward, or Town People's Committees and at public places within the polling area, and widely announce the voter list and the posting for the people to check.

9. Article 26 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Article 26

When checking the voter list, if any errors are found, any person has the right to lodge a complaint orally or in writing with the agency responsible for compiling the voter list within twenty-five days from the date of posting. The agency responsible for compiling the voter list must record these complaints. Within five days from the date of receiving the complaint, the agency responsible for compiling the voter list must resolve it and notify the complainant of the resolution result.

If the complainant disagrees with the resolution result, they have the right to file a lawsuit at the People's Court of the district, city district, town, or provincial city. Within five days from the date of receiving the lawsuit, the People's Court must resolve it. The decision of the People's Court is the final decision.

10. Article 46 is amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 46

Based on the official list of candidates for National Assembly deputies introduced by the Central Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Election Council sends the list of those introduced as candidates to the relevant Provincial Election Committees for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies.

The Election Council establishes and publishes the list of candidates for National Assembly deputies according to each electoral unit nationwide based on the official list sent by the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Provincial Election Committees for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies, at least twenty-five days before the election day.

In the list of candidates for National Assembly deputies, the full name, date of birth, gender, place of origin, place of residence, ethnicity, religion, educational level, specialty, profession, position, and workplace of the candidate must be clearly recorded. The list of candidates is arranged alphabetically by surname.

The number of candidates in the list for each electoral unit must exceed the number of deputies to be elected in that unit; if the electoral unit elects three deputies, the number of candidates must exceed the number of deputies to be elected by at least two persons. In case of a vacancy due to force majeure, the Election Council shall decide.

Each candidate can only be listed in one electoral unit.

11. Article 55 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 55"

In special cases where it is necessary to postpone the voting day or vote earlier than the prescribed day, the Polling Station must promptly report to the Election Board to request the Election Committee to submit to the Election Council for consideration and decision.

12. Article 58 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Article 58

Each voter has the right to cast one vote for a National Assembly deputy.

Voters must vote themselves, not entrust others to vote on their behalf, except in cases provided for in Article 59 of this Law; when voting, they must present their voter card.

13. Article 60 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 60"

When voters fill out ballots, no one is allowed to see them, including members of the Polling Station.

If they make a mistake, voters have the right to change their ballot.

After voters finish casting their votes, the Polling Station is responsible for stamping "voted" on the voter card.

14. Article 68 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Article 68

1. After completing the ballot counting, the Polling Station must prepare a tally sheet recording the results of the ballot counting. The tally sheet must include:

a) The total number of voters in the polling area;

b) The number of voters who participated in voting;

c) The number of ballots issued;

d) The number of ballots received;

đ) The number of valid ballots;

e) The number of invalid ballots;

g) The number of votes cast for each candidate;

h) Complaints received, complaints resolved and their outcomes, and complaints transferred to the Election Board for resolution.

2. The tally sheet is prepared in three copies, signed by the Polling Station Head, Secretary, and two voters invited to witness the ballot counting. The tally sheets are sent to the Election Board and the People's Committee, and the Standing Office of the People's Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the commune, ward, or town level, no later than three days after the election day.

15. Article 82 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Article 82

At least twenty days before the supplementary election day, the Provincial People's Committee, after reaching consensus with the Standing Committee of the People's Council and the Standing Office of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, decides to establish a Supplementary Election Board in each electoral unit consisting of three to five members including the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, and other members representing local authorities and the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the local level.

16. Article 83 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 83

At least fifteen days before the supplementary election day, the People's Committee of the commune, ward, or town establishes a Supplementary Polling Station in each polling area consisting of five to seven members including the Station Head, Deputy Station Head, Secretary, and other members representing state agencies, political-social organizations, social organizations, and voter groups at the local level.

Article 2

Amend and supplement some articles of the Law on Elections of People's Council Deputies.

1. Article 13 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 13

1. Each electoral unit for People's Council deputies at each level is divided into one or more polling areas. The polling area for the election of People's Council deputies is also the polling area for the election of National Assembly deputies.

2. The establishment of polling areas is carried out in accordance with Article 12 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies.

2. Article 15 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 15

The organizations responsible for the election of People's Council deputies include:

1. The Central Election Council;

2. The Election Committee for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the provincial level in provinces and centrally governed cities, the Election Committee for People's Council deputies at the district level in districts, towns, and provincial-level cities, and the Election Committee for People's Council deputies at the commune level in communes, wards, and towns (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Election Committee);

3. The Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the provincial level, the Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the district level, and the Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the commune level in electoral units (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Electoral Board);

4. The Polling Station Board in each polling station."

3. Supplement Article 15a following Article 15 as follows:

“Article 15a

1. The Election Council shall be established in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 14 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies.

2. For the election of People's Council deputies, the Election Council shall have the following tasks and powers:

a) Leading and directing the organization of elections nationwide; inspecting and urging the implementation of laws on elections;

b) Directing information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization activities;

c) Directing security, public order, and social safety during the election;

d) Prescribe the model ballot for electing People's Council deputies;

đ) Annul the election results of People's Council deputies and decide the date of re-election in that electoral unit.”

4. Article 16 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 16

1. The establishment of the Election Committee for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the provincial level shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 15 of  the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies.

For the election of People's Council deputies, the Election Committee for National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at the provincial level shall have the tasks and powers as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article.

2. At least ninety-five days before the day of the election of People's Council deputies, the People's Committee at the district and commune levels, after reaching consensus with the Standing Body of the People's Council and the Standing Body of the People's Committee of the United Front Organization at the same level, shall decide to establish the corresponding Election Committee comprising representatives from the Standing Body of the People's Council, the People's Committee, the People's Committee of the United Front Organization, and some relevant agencies and organizations.

The Election Committee for People's Council deputies at the district level shall consist of eleven to fifteen members.

The Election Committee for People's Council deputies at the commune level shall consist of nine to eleven members.

The Election Committee shall include the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary, and members.

The list of the Election Committee for People's Council deputies at the district and commune levels must be reported to the Standing Body of the People's Council, the People's Committee, and the Standing Body of the People's Committee of the United Front Organization at the higher level directly responsible.

3. The Election Committee shall have the following tasks and powers:

a) Direct the organization of the election of People's Council deputies at the local level; inspect and urge the implementation of the provisions of the law on the election of People's Council deputies;

b) Direct the implementation of security, public order, and social safety work during the election of People's Council deputies at the local level;

c) Direct information dissemination, propaganda, and mobilization for the election of People's Council deputies at the local level;

d) Receive and examine the files of individuals introduced for candidacy by political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, economic organizations, military units, state agencies, villages, and residential groups at the local level, and those who self-nominate as candidates for People's Council deputies; send the summary lists and brief biographies of the candidates and self-nominated candidates for People's Council deputies to the Standing Body of the People's Committee of the United Front Organization at the same level;

đ) Resolve complaints and denunciations regarding the election of People's Council deputies from the Electoral Boards and Polling Stations;

e) Announce the number of electoral units, the list of units, and the number of deputies to be elected in each electoral unit for People's Council deputies at their localities;

g) Receive and announce the list of candidates for People's Council deputies according to each electoral unit; resolve complaints and suggestions about the compilation of such lists;

h) Receive materials and ballots for electing People's Council deputies from the People's Committee at the same level and distribute them to the Electoral Boards at least twenty-five days before the election day;

i) Receive and check the minutes confirming the election results of People's Council deputies sent by the Electoral Boards; prepare the minutes summarizing the election of People's Council deputies at the local level;

k) Direct additional elections and re-elections of People's Council deputies in accordance with Articles 62, 63, 64, and 65 of this Law;

l) Announce the election results of People's Council deputies;

m) Submit the minutes summarizing the election of People's Council deputies and transfer all election-related documents and materials to the People's Council in accordance with the provisions of this Law.”

5. Clause 1 of Article 17 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

“1. At least forty-five days before the day of the election of People's Council deputies, the People's Committee, after reaching consensus with the Standing Body of the People's Council and the Standing Body of the People's Committee of the United Front Organization at the same level, shall decide to establish an Electoral Board in each electoral unit comprising representatives from state agencies, political-social organizations, and social organizations. At the commune level, the Electoral Board shall also include representatives from local voter groups.

The Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the provincial level shall consist of eleven to thirteen members.

The Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the district level shall consist of nine to eleven members.

The Electoral Board for People's Council deputies at the commune level shall consist of seven to nine members.

The Electoral Board shall include the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, Secretary, and members.”

6. Article 18 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 18

1. A Polling Station shall be established in each polling area to carry out the election of People's Council deputies at various levels and the election of National Assembly deputies.

2. The establishment of Polling Stations, the tasks, and powers of Polling Stations shall be implemented in accordance with Article 17 of the Law on Elections of National Assembly Deputies.”

7. Article 22 is amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 22

The Election Council shall cease its duties regarding the election of People's Council deputies after the Election Committees have submitted the minutes summarizing the election and the election-related documents and materials at the first session of the new term of the People's Council.

 The Election Committee shall cease its duties regarding the election of People's Council deputies after the Election Committee has submitted the minutes summarizing the election and the election-related documents and materials at the first session of the new term of the People's Council.

The Electoral Boards and Polling Stations shall cease their duties regarding the election of People's Council deputies after the Election Committee concludes the summary of the election work of People's Council deputies.”

8. Article 37 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 37

The voter meetings at communes, wards, towns shall be organized by units of villages, residential groups under the coordination and chairmanship of the Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in conjunction with the Standing Body of the People's Council and the People's Committee at the same level.

Voter meetings at state agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations, economic organizations, public service units shall be convened and chaired by the head of the agency or organization in coordination with the same-level Trade Union Executive Committee. Voter meetings at people's armed forces units shall be military personnel meetings convened and chaired by the unit leaders.

Candidates recommended for election or self-nominated candidates for People's Council representatives, representatives from agencies, organizations, units, villages, residential groups with candidates shall be invited to attend these meetings.

At these meetings, voters compare the candidates with the criteria for People's Council representatives and express their trust in self-nominated candidates or recommended candidates through raising hands or secret ballots as decided by the meeting.

The minutes of the voter meetings to solicit opinions on candidates for People's Council representatives must clearly record the composition, number of attendees, proceedings, and results of the meeting. Minutes of voter meetings soliciting opinions on candidates for People's Council representatives at which level shall be sent to the Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at that level to prepare for the third round of negotiations.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall coordinate with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to guide the organization of voter meetings at workplaces and places of residence.

9. Article 44 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Article 44

The Election Council directs information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization throughout the country. Each Electoral Committee directs information dissemination, propaganda, and voter mobilization in its respective locality.

10. Article 48 is amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 48

Voting begins at seven o'clock in the morning and ends at seven o'clock in the evening. Depending on local conditions, the Polling Station may decide to start earlier but not before five o'clock in the morning or end later but not beyond ten o'clock at night.

Before voting, the Polling Station must inspect the ballot box in the presence of voters.

11. Article 54 is amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 54

On election day, the voting process must be continuous. In case of unexpected events interrupting the voting process, the Polling Station must immediately seal the ballots and ballot box, promptly report to the Election Committee, and take necessary measures to ensure the continuation of the voting process.

In special cases requiring postponement or advance of the voting date, the Polling Station must promptly report to the Election Committee to request the Electoral Committee to submit to the Election Council for consideration and decision.

12. Article 64 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"Article 64

The Election Council cancels the election in electoral units where there are serious violations of the law upon the proposal of the Government and decides on a new election date for that electoral unit."

13. Article 70 is amended and supplemented as follows:

“Article 70

Not later than twenty days before the supplementary election day for People's Council representatives at any level, the People's Committee, the Standing Body of the People's Council, and the Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at that level shall establish a Supplementary Electoral Committee consisting of three to five members. Not later than fifteen days before the supplementary election day, a Supplementary Election Committee consisting of three to five members including representatives from state agencies, socio-political organizations, social organizations shall be established in each supplementary electoral unit.

The Supplementary Electoral Committee consists of the Chairman, Secretary, and members.  The Supplementary Election Committee consists of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, and members.”

14. Article 71 is amended and supplemented as follows:

Not later than ten days before the supplementary election day, the People's Committee at the commune level shall establish a Supplementary Polling Station consisting of five to seven members including representatives from state agencies, socio-political organizations, social organizations, and local voter groups in each polling area.

“Article 71          

The Supplementary Polling Station consists of the Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Secretary, and members.”

1. Replace the term "Electoral Committee" in Articles 18, 19, 28, 31, 38, 40, 45, 49, 50, 69, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, and 84 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly with the term "Electoral Committee for Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Councils at provincial level".

Article 3

Replace the term "Central Steering Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front" in Articles 39 and 84 of the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly with the term "Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front".

2. Replace the term "Election Council" in Articles 12, 17, 21, 29, 31, 32, 36, 38, 40, 41, 43, 60, 62, 63, 66, 67, and 74 of the Law on Election of Members of People's Councils with the term "Electoral Committee".

1. This Law takes effect from January 1, 2011.

Article 4

2. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front shall provide detailed regulations and guidance on implementing the provisions assigned in this Law; provide necessary guidance on other contents of this Law to meet the requirements of state management.

3. This Law was adopted by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the 12th term, the 8th session on November 24

2010.  year 2010.