2016 Laotian parliamentary election
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 Laos portal |
Parliamentary elections were held in Laos on 20 March 2016.[1] The ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party was the only party to contest the elections and retained its large majority in the National Assembly.
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 focussed on economic development.[3]
Results
Of the 149 elected member, 73% were first-time MPs.[3]
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lao People's Revolutionary Party | 144 | +16 | ||
| Independents | 5 | +1 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | – | – | – | |
| Total | 3,657,026 | 149 | +17 | |
| 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]
