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Laos
At stake: National Assembly
Background
Except for one year, in 1945, when Japanese forces occupied it during World War II, Laos was under French rule from 1893 until 1954, when it gained its independence as a constitutional monarchy.
During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, North Vietnamese forces created supply lines to China through neighbouring Laos. In response, American forces bombed Laos extensively throughout the war in an effort to disrupt the transport of matériel. It is estimated that more bombs were dropped on Laos during this conflict than were used by all sides in World War II.
Following the Vietnam War, a communist group called the Lao People's Front seized control of the country, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate. In 1975, Kaysone Phomvihane became prime minister of Laos, which was renamed the Lao Peoples's Democratic Republic. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was declared the only legal political entity in the country.
The socialist economy led to widespread food shortages, causing hundreds of thousands of Laotians to seek refuge in neighbouring Thailand in 1979. In the 1980s, with the support of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the Laotian government approved some market reforms.
The communists, which controlled all aspects of the political process, retained control of the government in an election in 1989. A new constitution was adopted in 1991, giving the country a unicameral parliament called the National Assembly, to which members are elected by secret ballot to five-year terms. Phomvihane became the president of the new government structure, while Khamtai Siphandon assumed the post of prime minister.
In 1998, six years after the death of Phomvihane, Siphandon assumed the presidency. He was re-elected in 2001. Boungnang Vorachith took over as prime minister in March 2001. In the parliamentary election of 2002, all but one of the candidates were members of the LPRP.
The economy remains heavily dependent on foreign aid, while anti-government sentiments—especially among isolated ethnic minorities—are becoming more apparent.
2006 National Assembly Election
In February 2006, president Khamtai Siphandon announced in a decree that the National Assembly election will be held on Apr. 30. "Following Article 34 of the Lao constitution a general election to select National Assembly members should be conducted every five years but in special cases the election can be held before the term expires," the order also stated.
The army is expected to assist in transporting rural voters to local polling stations, even by airlift if necessary.
On Mar. 21, vice-president Choummaly Sayasone was elected general-secretary of the LPRP.
Voting took place on Apr. 30. Preliminary reports indicated that deputy prime minister Bouasone Bouphavan won the largest number of votes in the capital.
Final reports were delayed after torrential rains washed out roads in some parts of the country. A victory for the LPRP was widely expected, as 173 of the 175 candidates vying for the 115 legislative seats belong to the ruling political party.
Final results were released on May 10. The LPRP secured 113 of the 115 seats at stake, with the remaining two going to independent candidates.
On Jun. 8, the National Assembly elected Choummaly Sayasone as president, Boungnang Vorachith as vice-president, and Bouasone Bouphavanh as prime minister.
Political Players
President: Choummaly Sayasone
Vice-president: Boungnang Vorachith
Prime minister: Bouasone Bouphavanh
The president elected by the National Assembly to a five-year term.
Legislative Branch: The National Assembly has 115 members, elected to five-year terms.
Results of Last Election:
National Assembly - Apr. 30, 2006
Seats | |
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) | 113 |
Independent candidates | 2 |