Under a recent government decree, Vietnam's civil servants and people's representatives at law- making bodies must publicly disclose their property and income, as a move to prevent or impede corruption, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Wednesday.

Under the decree, candidates for seats in the National Assembly, the country's top legislature, or in People's Councils at provincial and district levels nationwide, and current officeholders, must make the disclosures in their residential areas and workplaces before running an election. Once in office, they must do that annually.

The decree also covers civil servants at the district level, army and police officers, corporate officials at state-owned enterprises appointed by the state, managers with state budgetary authority, and judicial officials. But of these, only officials at the level of deputy managing positions or higher are required to disclose their property and income annually.

The decree is in force now as preparations for elections move forward. The elections will fall on May 20 when voters will select 500 deputies for the 12th National Assembly, and representatives for the People's Councils at local levels.

Source: Xinhua