2016 Laotian parliamentary election


Parliamentary elections were held in Laos on 20 March 2016. 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. Candidates had to gain the support of a local authority or a mass organisation to run for office, and election committees approve candidacies. Due to a rise in the country's population, the number of seats was increased from 132 in the 2011 elections.

Campaign

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

Results

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

Aftermath

Following the elections, the National Assembly convened on 20 April to elect Bounnhang Vorachith as president and Thongloun Sisoulith as Prime Minister, replacing Thongsing Thammavong.