ID :
178871
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 13:14
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http://m.oananews.org//node/178871
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Lao PDR is prepared for the National Assembly tomorrow
Vientiane, April 29 (TNA) - Minister of Information and Culture and Member of the Lao Election Committee Moonkaew Aor-Lamoon, Vice Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Commission Boonyong Buppa, and Head of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kenthong Nuantasing held a press conference on Friday focusing on Laos’s readiness for the 7th national assembly scheduled for April 30th. Moonkaew said that all 6,324 polling stations, which are spread across 17 districts are ready for Laos’s 7th national assembly, which is held every five years.
Moonkaew also said that 190 candidates will be competing for 132 seats, an increase in the number of seats from 115 in the 6th National Assembly. The 190 candidates consist of 46 women, 28 Kamu, 15 Hmong, and 7 Chinese. Most of the candidates are between 50 and 60 years old, but 26 candidates are younger than 45 years old. Candidates come from various educational backgrounds. Out of 3,267,210 voters, 1,643,099 are women. The results of the election will not be known until the week after the election due to transportation inconveniences.
Journalists reported that the Lao National Assembly is an assembly that represents Lao people, their rights, their power and their benefits. Under the state, the assembly has the power to enact laws and make decisions on matters of national concern, including the power to investigate the government, the court, and the Office of the Public Prosecutors. The elected candidates will serve on the national assembly for five years before another election is held.
The election will be held at the district level. For instance, the first district of Vientiane has 21 candidates for 15 seats, and the sixth district of Luang Prabang has 13 candidates for 9 seats. Lao people can cast their votes between 7am and 5pm, by crossing off names of candidates for whom they do not vote. For instance, in Kwaeng Kum Muan district, with 10 candidates for 7 seats, voters must cross off three names, leaving only seven names on the ballot, otherwise the ballot is void.
For this election of the National Assembly, the Lao Election Committee has stated aims to achieve 100% in three areas; 100% participation, 100% validity of ballots, and 100% order on the Election Day. The Election Committee further added that a large number of Lao people participate in the National Assembly because it is held only once every five years. Also, community leaders have a system to track down those who do not cast their votes. Typically, people who do not cast their votes are criticized by their community for not cooperating. For those who are ill, old, or handicapped, the Committee of their local polling station will bring the ballot box to their house so they can cast their votes. (TNA)
Moonkaew also said that 190 candidates will be competing for 132 seats, an increase in the number of seats from 115 in the 6th National Assembly. The 190 candidates consist of 46 women, 28 Kamu, 15 Hmong, and 7 Chinese. Most of the candidates are between 50 and 60 years old, but 26 candidates are younger than 45 years old. Candidates come from various educational backgrounds. Out of 3,267,210 voters, 1,643,099 are women. The results of the election will not be known until the week after the election due to transportation inconveniences.
Journalists reported that the Lao National Assembly is an assembly that represents Lao people, their rights, their power and their benefits. Under the state, the assembly has the power to enact laws and make decisions on matters of national concern, including the power to investigate the government, the court, and the Office of the Public Prosecutors. The elected candidates will serve on the national assembly for five years before another election is held.
The election will be held at the district level. For instance, the first district of Vientiane has 21 candidates for 15 seats, and the sixth district of Luang Prabang has 13 candidates for 9 seats. Lao people can cast their votes between 7am and 5pm, by crossing off names of candidates for whom they do not vote. For instance, in Kwaeng Kum Muan district, with 10 candidates for 7 seats, voters must cross off three names, leaving only seven names on the ballot, otherwise the ballot is void.
For this election of the National Assembly, the Lao Election Committee has stated aims to achieve 100% in three areas; 100% participation, 100% validity of ballots, and 100% order on the Election Day. The Election Committee further added that a large number of Lao people participate in the National Assembly because it is held only once every five years. Also, community leaders have a system to track down those who do not cast their votes. Typically, people who do not cast their votes are criticized by their community for not cooperating. For those who are ill, old, or handicapped, the Committee of their local polling station will bring the ballot box to their house so they can cast their votes. (TNA)
