The mark of Lao Dong Newspaper in the historic General Election of the nation

For Lao Dong Newspaper - the voice of the Vietnamese working class - the newspapers published in the period of 1945-1946 not only serve the purpose of information but also propagate, encourage, and guide workers to for the first time exercise the sacred right to citizenship - holding ballots to vote for the National Assembly on General Election Day (January 6, 1946).

Towards a historic General Election

After the August Revolution in 1945, Lao Dong Newspaper was opened to the public, the newspaper's newsroom was located at 51 Hang Bo, Hanoi - an address associated with many historical events of the workers' movement and the Revolutionary Press. On October 18, 1945, Lao Dong Newspaper published issue 13 - one of the first newspapers after the successful August Revolution. Today, this newspaper issue is one of the rare documents currently stored at the National Library.

At that time, the newspaper only had 2 pages, measuring 45x35cm, but the content was dense, focusing on the vital issues of the country and the working class. Also in this issue, information related to preparation for the General Election Day was mentioned.

One of the typical articles posted on page 13 is "The Workers' Delegation of the entire Hoang Dieu City meets the Chairman Lake". Report on the meeting on October 9, 1945 at the Government Palace, when 21 workers' delegates of Hoang Dieu citadel were received by President Ho Chi Minh.

Right at the beginning of the article, Lao Dong Newspaper quoted Uncle Ho as saying: " Only when the country is completely independent can the Government completely resolve the rights of workers". This is a message of special significance, closely linking the rights and responsibilities of the working class with national fate.

On page 2, continuing the content of page 1, the newspaper published specific instructions of President Ho Chi Minh on the duties of workers before the General Election. The article quoted Uncle Ho as saying: Workers, like other classes, must choose worthy representatives; must carefully consider what benefits it will bring to the people and what disadvantages it will bring to the people. We must investigate whether the person we choose is truly interested in our rights. We must propagate and encourage the people we have put our trust in.

Those instructions of President Ho Chi Minh, through the pages of the newspaper, have become a simple but profound "election handbook" for many workers - those who are approaching an election of national stature for the first time.

In the History of Lao Dong Newspaper, it is also recorded: "Restore the first pages of Lao Dong Newspaper to be made public after the August Revolution, we will see a very vivid reflection on the life of the working class of our country, the attitude towards current issues, the activities of protecting the young revolutionary government... Traditional newspapers voted for the National Assembly election on January 6, 1946, voting for the first workers' delegates of our country to join the highest body of the country".

Breathing life in each newspaper page and the National Assembly

The First National Assembly is a particularly long 14-year term (1946 - 1960) with 12 sessions, passing the 1946 Constitution and the 1959. Lao Dong Newspaper No. 691, published on January 2, 1960 continues to mark its role as a companion to the National Assembly and the Vietnamese working class. The number of newspapers printed in red and black, with four pages, stands out with the flower-based slogan: "MY, HINGA PHAP MY, K'NGUYEN M'I", along with the line: "The 11th session of the National Assembly ended successfully".

The first page of the newspaper is dedicated to the event of the first National Assembly passing the 1959 Constitution on December 31, 2019. The newspaper posted an article "The Lake has signed a decree announcing the Constitution", along with a photo of workers at Tran Hung Garment House gathering in the factory, watching the National Assembly session on the radio.

The article reads: On the afternoon of December 31, 2019, from the National Assembly hall to the streets, the most exciting and joyful scenes took place. People automatically bring flowers, flags, and banners to welcome the new Constitution. 15:50, the entire National Assembly unanimously voted to pass the new Constitution. Standing in the midst of the capital's people's delegation of all classes and ages, from old men with silver beards to teenagers wearing red scarves, Ho Chi Minh said: " Tomorrow is the new year, our people will have a new Constitution. That is a new era to promote the cause of building the North and the cause of fighting for national reunification".

The article reflects the exciting atmosphere of tens of thousands of workers in the capital's factories standing at the machines to welcome the National Assembly's resolution and then, together with the people, waving drums and opening flags to the City Theater Square to celebrate the new Constitution. Those vivid depictions show the strong connection between the National Assembly, the Constitution and workers' lives - the connection that was founded by the General Election of 1946.

Looking back on the 50-year journey since the General Election, it can be seen that, together with the Vietnam Revolutionary Press, Lao Dong Newspaper has contributed to the success of the historic election.

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