The Press SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1966 Voting In Vietnam

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 14

The Press SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1966 Voting In Vietnam

Tomorrow’s election in South Vietnam of an assembly to draft a constitution for the first planned transfer of power since the country’s independence will be held in the worst imaginable atmosphere for an election. Government officials in Saigon have predicted that about 70 per cent of the five million Vietnamese who hold voting cards will go to the polls. Because failure to vote in the elections under the Diem regime was thought likely to incur harsh punishments, the Vietnamese have a tradition of fairly high polling. Nevertheless, some observers believe that on this occasion only half of those qualified will vote. South Vietnam has never had the experience of free national elections; and the voting tomorrow will differ little from the established pattern. President Diem did not tolerate opposition candidates in the 1959 elections for the National Assembly. The 1961 presidential election was probably rigged, although the Viet Cong’s attempts to interfere with it were largely ineffectual. The Viet Cong have been more successful this time in their efforts to disrupt the campaign; and many voters have been afraid to collect their cards. Certainly the million South Vietnamese who live in areas controlled by the Viet Cong will have no opportunity to vote. Other groups have called for a boycott of the election. Since last April, when Air Vice-Marshal Ky agreed to hold elections, the prospect of a poll has probably been a safety valve for political restiveness. Previously, similar restiveness would almost certainly have led to a coup d’etat. The leaders of the Buddhist Unified Churches have been angered by the forcible suppression of their protests against the military Government Now that they have lost some of their reputation as breakers of Governments their followers may be less inclined to respond to the injunction to abstain from voting. Although 34 political parties are legally recognised in South Vietnam there is little evidence among the 500 candidates of coherent parties or of distinct platforms. The Government has denied that the 50 or so military candidates will form an “ armed services party ”; and if elected in sufficient strength these candidates would be strongly placed to impose the wishes of the generals. A two-thirds majority is needed to approve the new constitution. Air Vice-Marshal Ky is likely to stand in the presidential election announced for next March, and neither he nor the other military leaders will readily accept a plan that does not appeal to them.

The electorate is divided into 52 constituencies. In 25 constituencies in the cities and larger towns candidates are tied together on a “ slate ”, or list, for two or more seats; and voting will be on the proportional system. Local alliances rather than parties have been formed in most of these constituencies. In the other 27 constituencies electors will vote directly for the candidates. Eight of the 117 seats in the assembly have been reserved for minority hill tribes. The assembly will have six months to draft a constitution.

It is easy to be cynical about this election. But if ft puts South Vietnam even a short distance on the road towards popular, representative government the effect on the war may be significant The National Assembly to be elected under the constitution—perhaps next year—is not likely to seek a political compromise with the Viet Cong. Indeed “ pro-Communist neutrals ” have not been allowed to seek election. The Viet Cong have shown no interest in compromise and, even without a popular Government, the South Vietnamese have maintained a remarkable, if sometimes weary, determination to resist the Viet Cong. Even though the atmosphere for these elections is unfavourable, with the co-operation of the military and religious factions, the outcome may greatly improve the prospects of ending the long and tragic struggle.