Voters in quarantine areas eager for citizenship rights and obligations

Yesterday morning of May 23, voters in the concentrated quarantine area of Bau Bang district Medical Center conducted the poll to elect deputies to the 15th National Assembly Delegation and Binh Duong provincial People's Council for the 2021-2026 tenure in a special election for these voters who have been living and working in quarantine; everyone was excited to exercise their citizenship rights and obligations.

The concentrated quarantine area in Bau Bang district has 184 voters, including 22 health workers, servicing soldiers and 162 people in concentrated quarantine. The election in the quarantine area was very emotional. Elderly citizens are supported by the election team's staff to go down to the polling station. The isolation area also used mobile ballot boxes to vote at the election group 8 of Lai Uyen town in two-level elections: Election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly Delegation and members of the provincial People's Council for the 2021-2026 tenure

Voters in concentrated quarantine area of Bau Bang district Medical Center attend the election to well practice their citizenship rights and obligations

For local voters, election day was a special day, because, even in the quarantined area, they can still fully exercise their citizenship rights and obligations. Mr. Do Van Thang, a voter at the concentrated quarantine area in Bau Bang district said: “For the first time in my life, I went to the election in the quarantine area, the emotions are hard to describe. Locally, the election is still taking place as usual, we can still vote for the people we trust and choose. After the election, I hope that the delegates who are trusted by the people will bring into full play their capacity and intelligence and devote themselves to the cause of national construction and defense and take better care of the people’s material and spiritual lives, especially the young workers, and students far from home like us."

As for Ms. Bui Thi Phuong Anh, a voter in the concentrated quarantine area of Bau Bang district, said: "My hometown is Hai Phong, I have been abroad and have been living away from home for many years. Now returning to my hometown is also on the occasion of a big event in the country, which is the election of the 15th National Assembly Delegation deputies and the People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2027 tenure. In my heart, I have an indescribable feeling. In a special situation such as in the quarantine area, holding the ballot in my hand, I feel even more honored and proud to be able to exercise the rights and obligations of a Vietnamese citizen.”

As for Doctor Nguyen Dinh Thuong, a voter practicing his duties at the quarantine area of Bau Bang district Medical Center, the election would be an unforgettable time for him. Dr. Thuong said: “This year’s election is special for me as I am in a quarantine area. I am delighted that I could practice my role as a citizen even in a quarantine area. In the context of Covid-19 epidemic, we could see great sacrifices and contributions of the medical staff at the frontline. Thus, I am hopeful that the elected would have attention to care for and share with medical staff. National Assembly Delegation and People’s Councils of all levels would extend great policies for health, family, working environment, and benefits of nationwide medical staffs.”

Special emotion was also to Mr. Pham Van Kien, a voter in concentrated quarantine area of Bau Bang district. Kien was in his first time voting and his first experience of voting was in a quarantine area. Kien said: “For the days in the quarantine area, I have made considerations for the candidates and made my choices. I am hopeful that the elected ones would promote their roles and obligation to represent their people’s voices and aspirations so as to take good care for the votes, especially the vulnerable in the society to help them develop themselves.

Doctor Huynh Minh Chinh, Director of Bau Bang district Medical Center, said that so as to make the election safe and absolutely not letting the epidemic spread, the quarantine management has separated the residents and arranged one-way voting route, tables and seats for ballot preparation in suitable distance of maximum limitation of contacts within 2 meters. The management has equipped the required personal protection gears. Documents and ballot boxes are covered in nylon bags to be disinfected before moving to the ballot checking.

By about 10:00 on May 23, the election at the concentrated quarantine area of Bau Bang district was basically fulfilled. The functional forces have sprayed disinfectants in the whole area before and after the votes. The ballot boxes were all disinfected before checking to ensure absolute safety.

Reported by Kim Ha – Ngoc Nhu – Translated by Vi Bao