Landmark vote on how officials measure up

For the first time, deputies cast confidence votes on the performance of 47 top officials elected or approved by the National Assembly (NA). How incisive was the voting?

The Constitution has regulated that NA deputies have the right to cast confidence votes, but this is the first time we took action in this regard. Accordingly, the NA shall have sanction measures towards those holding important positions, but underperforming in their duties.

However, voting wasn’t totally smooth as it was a new process.

First, some say there was a lack of information for deputies to base their votes on, but deputies have diverse information channels, including those from the media, before giving their final decisions.

Second, some officials facing confidence votes hold different positions and this could confuse deputies as to what positions they are casting their confidence votes on.

Third, of management officials facing votes of confidence, many are NA deputies who also take part in casting votes. Some are government members and work in the same NA committees. Thereby, in some cases private sentiments would affect their decisions.

These are challenges which may affect deputies’ vote quality.

Will it be surprising if all officials get high confidence votes?

If the officials all got high confidence votes, this would mean these chosen officials did not incur  many serious violations for which they faced low confidence votes. 

However, in case officials holding top management posts have proof of serious violations, I believe deputies will use their rights for no confidence votes.

What should be done with officials who score low confidence votes?

It this happens, it will follow procedures in Resolution No. 35/2012/QH13, which involves the casting and collection of votes of confidence for elected or approved officials holding positions of power.

For instance, officials with over half of the ballots with “low confidence” might step down. For officials with more than two-thirds of the votes of “low confidence” or over half of the ballots of “low confidence” for two consecutive years, the National Assembly Standing Committee and people's councils would consider of dismissal.

> Detailed outcomes of first vote of confidence
> Five Cabinet members to appear at NA hearing
> List of individuals facing confidence vote approved