At a time of mounting challenges, the true concern is not merely electing a sufficient number of deputies, but choosing those with the courage and capability to confront the nation’s most pressing issues. On March 15, 2026, more than 73 million voters will cast their ballots at over 72,000 polling stations nationwide to elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly, along with tens of thousands of People’s Council deputies for the 2026–2031 term. This national election marks the first to take place under the officially implemented two-tier local government model, following the recent administrative unit reorganization. In many localities, boundaries have been redrawn, populations have grown, and administrative areas have expanded. A commune today may encompass twice the area and population compared with before, while a newly established ward often reflects characteristics of both urban and rural communities. These changes directly affect the determination of deputy structures and distribution, the organization of consultations, and the ways in which voters are engaged. In the past, meetings with voters often took place in familiar halls among familiar faces. Today, however, candidates must travel farther, listen more attentively, and engage with a wider range of groups—small businesses, household enterprises, industrial park workers, […]
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