Vietnam thwarts dissidents, pop star election bid, highlighting country’s ‘facade of democracy’
Authorities in the communist country have refused to approve their candidacies, regardless of the support they attracted at local voter meetings
Vietnam has blocked a motley crew of independent candidates from running for seats in its rubber stamp parliament, activists said on Tuesday, a move they say highlights the communist country’s “facade of democracy”.
In an unprecedented showing this year, more than 100 independent candidates – including dissidents, a taxi driver and a pop star – tried to run for Vietnam’s National Assembly.
But authorities refused to approve their candidacies, regardless of the support they attracted at local voter meetings.
“All the real independent candidates have been disqualified,” activist Doan Trang said.
A handful of “fake” independent candidates have made it through the gruelling selection process, but they all have official backing and are part of a plan to create a facade of democracy, she said.
On paper, Vietnam has an admirably democratic constitution, which allows any person over 21 to seek election to parliament. But the reality is quite different.
“No matter how much effort they put into running as an independent candidate, they’d definitely fail if they’re not on the pre-approved list,” an official at a local election unit said.