abc.net.au
Pop star Mai Khoi, dubbed “Vietnam’s Lady Gaga” for her risqué outfits, is running for parliament along with a motley crew of dissidents and activists testing the limits in the authoritarian nation. The singer is no stranger to controversy – her song” Selfie Orgasm” prompted a storm of criticism, and her fashion choices, including braless public appearances, regularly cause ripples of shock in the state-run media.
This picture taken on August 13, 2015 shows Mai Khoi performing during a concert in Saigon. Pink-haired pop star Mai Khoi, dubbed Vietnam’s Lady Gaga by state media for her risque outfits, has found a new way to shock the country’s authoritarian communist rulers: she’s running for parliament. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Now the 32-year-old has joined an array of lawyers, journalists and political dissidents posing a challenge to the communist leadership by running for elected office in the National Assembly.
On paper, Vietnam – unlike its northern neighbor China – has a democratic constitution, which allows anyone over 21 to seek election to parliament. However, more than 90 percent of the 500-strong legislative body are members of the ruling Communist Party, with the remaining lawmakers mostly wealthy businesspeople seeking to advance their interests.
After the March 13 deadline, about 100 independent candidates had applied to run for office in the polls to be held on May 22. Although such candidates have run in previous National Assembly elections, this is the first time a significant number have sought to use polls as a form of peaceful protest against the one-party state.
Candidates are required to submit detailed paperwork to local authorities in their home constituency.
Khoi said she had been threatened with rejection of paperwork over a minor irregularity which she had not been given a chance to correct.
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