Results of national-level legislative election released in Laos

Lao national legislature is set to welcome a mix of new and experienced representatives from across the country as results of March 20 elections were released in the Lao capital Monday.

Some 3.66 million votes were reported cast from the 3.73 million eligible voters for the National Assembly's Eighth legislature, representing turnout of some 97.9 percent, according to figures supplied by the Lao National Election Commission.

President of the National Assembly's Seventh Legislature Pany Yathotou and Vice-President Xaysomphone Phomvihane were among some 39 previously serving members reelected to the legislative body which is responsible for ratifying applications for high state office and actively monitoring executive and civil service performance.

Some 41 women were among the 149 elected from the 211 candidates hailing from the country's 17 provinces and capital prefecture Vientiane.

The 149 elected members will serve a five-year term in the National Assembly's Eighth Legislature.

Lao citizens over 18 years of age were eligible to vote in the legislative polls, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious belief, social status or profession.

Among the first tasks of newly-elected assembly members once the legislature meets will be to cast votes to approve a new president of the country and an executive cabinet headed by a prime minister and deputies.

Former secretary-general of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the country's serving President Choummaly Sayasone and Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, are not standing for reappointment to their respective roles. Endit