2016 Laotian parliamentary election

2016 Laotian parliamentary election

20 March 2016

All 149 seats in the National Assembly 75 seats needed for a majority

Party Leader Seats +/– LPRP Bounnhang Vorachit 144 +16 Independents – 5 +1 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. President before President after Choummaly Sayasone LPRP Bounnhang Vorachit LPRP

Parliamentary elections were held in Laos on 20 March 2016.[1] Voters were presented with a single list from the Lao Front for National Construction, dominated by the Communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LRPP). The LPRP won 144 of the 149 seats, with pro-government independents winning the remaining five.

Electoral system

The 149 members of the National Assembly were elected from 18 multi-member constituencies with between three and fourteen seats using the first-past-the-post system.[2] Candidates had to gain the support of a local authority or a mass organisation to run for office, and election committees approve candidacies.[2] Due to a rise in the country's population, the number of seats was increased from 132 in the 2011 elections.[3]

Campaign

A total of 149 seats were contested by 211 candidates, including 50 women and 48 incumbent MPs.[1] Much of the election campaign was focused on economic development.[3]

Results

Of the 149 elected members, 73% were first-time MPs.[3]

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Lao People's Revolutionary Party			144	+16
	Independents			5	+1
Total				149	+17
Total votes		3,657,026	–
Registered voters/turnout		3,733,932	97.94
Source: IPU

Aftermath

Following the elections, the National Assembly convened on 20 April to elect Bounnhang Vorachith as president (replacing Choummaly Sayasone) and Thongloun Sisoulith as Prime Minister, replacing Thongsing Thammavong.[3]

References

1. The National Committee for Election (NEC) announces NA candidates LNTV
2. Electoral system Inter-Parliamentary Union
3. Last elections Inter-Parliamentary Union