870 candidates to run for 500 seats in Vietnamese parliament in May

A total of 870 candidates are to run for 500 seats in the 14th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, announced a Vietnamese official on Tuesday.

Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Chairman of the NA Office and General Secretary of the outgoing 13th NA made the announcement at a press conference held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Tuesday.

Among the figure, as many as 339 candidates are female, accounting for 38.97 percent while 204 candidates are ethnic minority, making up 23.45 percent, said Phuc.

A total of 97 candidates are not the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) members, accounting for 11.15 percent while 168 candidates are deputies to the 13th NA, said the official.

Earlier in 2015, the 13th NA decided that a general election for the 14th NA will be held on May 22, 2016.

During the first session of the 14th NA which is scheduled to take place in July 2016, NA Standing Committee and state leaders will be re-elected.

During the final session of the 13th NA in early April, Vietnamese parliament replaced top leadership positions of the country.

On March 31, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan became the country's first NA chairwoman, while Tran Dai Quang was elected the new President on April 2, and Nguyen Xuan Phuc was elected to become the country's new Prime Minister on April 7. Enditem