Laotians go to polls for fourth time in 22 years VIENTIANE, Laos (Reuters) -- Laotians headed to the polls today to vote for the fourth time since the ruling communist party took over 22 years ago. Polls opened at 8:00 a.m. and election officials expected most of the 2.27 million eligible voters to turn out in the semi-compulsory poll which lasts until 5:00 p.m. A total of 159 candidates are vying for 99 seats in an expanded National Assembly. One candidate was asked not to run because of complaints that his brother was also running, an election official said late on Saturday. The previous National Assembly of 85 members was elected five years ago. As in the last election, nearly all the candidates are from the ruling communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Only four of the 159 are non-party members, and the party rejected six others who had requested to run. Although top party members vow political reform in the upcoming government, diplomats say there is likely to be little change in the impoverished country after the poll because of the communist party's domination. After abolishing the monarchy in 1975, the LPRP took power, following communist victories in neighboring Vietnam and Cambodia. The Lao capital was quiet today as it was in the days leading up to the poll. Most citizens planned to vote because they had been told they had to. Community leaders have banned residents from traveling far from their villages just before the election. Official results of the poll are not expected to be released until the middle of January, election officials said. BKK Post / December 21, 1997 LAOTIAN ELECTIONS No crucial changes expected after polls Govt candidates to contest most of seats By Bhanravee Tansubhapol in Vientiane Most Laotian citizens expect no political changes to follow today's vote for the 4th National Assembly - since most of the candidates come from the government party. But a parliament spokesman reaffirmed yesterday that it would ensure the democratic rights of the people. A taxi driver said he would cast his vote today but said he was sure that no significant change would take place because Laos is under a one-party system of government. "As long as Laos has only one party, there will be no competition. Most of the candidates come under the Laotian communist party, therefore the policy will not change" he added. Another Laotian said he did not pay attention to how many candidates had to be selected for his constitutional area, but said he would cast his vote anyway, as Lao people have a legal duty to vote. Chaleun Yia Paoheu, the parliament spokesman, said yesterday that in future, the National Assembly committee would try to increase more independent candidates. It has just four independent candidates out of ten which have been selected to compete in the election. The new 99 members, out of 159 candidates, are to be elected today. Mr Chaleun quoted Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandone as joking that if one person wants to get in trouble, he should become a politician; but if he wants more trouble, then he should find a second wife. However, although the aim of this election is emphasized as expanding the people's democratic right and increasing the political consciousness of the Lao multi-ethnic people, Mr Chaleun also reaffirmed that the state has more stability. "The National Assembly's duty after the election is to improve the political stability as well as improving the coordination between the provinces and the government agencies. "The first priority of the National Assembly is to stabilise the state's power to be able to better cooperate with other countries in this region," he said. The National Assembly will try to pass more laws to facilitate the development process of the country since Laos has become a member of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations. He added Laos would also try to have more free trade area in conforming to the wills of ASEAN leaders who gathered in Kuala Lumpur last week. FOCUS-Laotians line up early to vote for new assem By Sutin Wannabovorn VIENTIANE, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Laotians queued up early on Sunday to cast their votes for a new National Assembly in the fourth election since the ruling communist party took over 22 years ago. The sleepy Lao capital came to life early as people rushed to polling stations in schools and government buildings to cast their ballots. Polling stations were packed and people formed long lines under a clear sky even before Prime Minister General Khamtay Siphandone declared the polls open at 8:00 a.m. (0100 GMT). "I am happy that many Lao people are more interested in politics now (as you can see) when they turn out very early in the morning," Khamtay said after casting his ballot at a government election office near Parliament. Just one hour after voting began one polling station on the outskirts of town had nearly completed the job. Officials at the station said 623 people had already cast their ballots out of the total 819 eligible to vote at that location. Election officials expected most of the 2.27 million eligible voters to turn out in the semi-compulsory poll which lasts until 5:00 p.m. (1000 GMT). A total of 159 candidates are vying for 99 seats in an expanded National Assembly. One candidate was asked not to run because of complaints that his brother was also running, an election official said late on Saturday. The previous National Assembly of 85 members was elected five years ago. As in the last election, nearly all the candidates are from the ruling communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Only four of the 159 are non-party members, and the party rejected six others who had requested to run. Although top party members vow political reform in the upcoming government, diplomats say there is likely to be little change in the impoverished country -- one of the world's least developed nations -- after the poll because of the communist party's domination. Khamtay himself said not much change was expected after the poll except that there would be an infusion of younger faces into the National Assembly to replace retiring members. One voter said he hoped the election would bring better educated people to power. "I will vote for new people who have a higher education than those in the older generation," said Wantong Wanwungsa, 45, who also voted in the last three elections. He said like many other Laotians, he would cast his ballot because he had to. "It will be against the law (not to vote), and my name will be dropped from house registers," he said. "If you don't vote that means you are not Lao." When asked when and if Laos would switch to a multi-party system, Khamtay, who is also chairman of the LPRP, said the people only want one party. Foreign Affairs minister Somsavat Lengsavat agreed. "What Laos needs is stability and peace. One party makes the country stable and peaceful," he said. After abolishing the monarchy in 1975, the LPRP took power, following communist victories in neighbouring Vietnam and Cambodia. It has ruled the tiny landlocked nation ever since. Official results of the poll are not expected to be released until the middle of January, election officials said. Key facts about Laos VIENTIANE, Dec 21 (Reuters) - These are the key facts about Laos: POPULATION: 4.6 million (1995 census), including 47 ethnic groups. The population is predominately Buddhist. About 80 percent of the Lao people live in rural areas. AREA: 237,000 sq km (91,500 sq miles) of which 47 percent are forests and 737,000 hectares are under cultivation. Landlocked Laos is wedged between China in the north, Vietnam in the east, Cambodia in the south, Thailand in the west and Burma in the northwest. CAPITAL: Vientiane, population 528,109 (1995 census), former administrative capital. Luang Prabang ceased being the royal capital on December 2, 1975, when the monarchy was abolished and Laos became a republic. ARMED FORCES: Total armed forces 37,000. Army: 105 tanks in inventory with 60 in service. 70 armoured personnel carriers and 117 artillery pieces in inventory. Navy: eight river patrol craft and four landing craft. Air force: 40 combat aircraft in inventory; 29 thought to be in service, plus six training aircraft in inventory, three of which were in service. ECONOMY: With a per capita income of $350 annually, the Lao people remain among the poorest in Asia and depend heavily on foreign aid, which averages between $200 million and $300 million per year. About 80 percent of the Lao people are involved in farming or fishing. Agriculture accounts for 56 percent of national income, followed by 24 percent from services and more than 17 percent from industry. Some gains have been made with the transition to a market economy, started in 1986 under the New Economic Mechanism. State enterprises are being privatised, attractive investment laws have been passed and in 1997, Laos joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Though impoverished, Laos is rich in natural resources. The government plans to drive future growth through hydropower and timber, which together dominate exports. Other growth areas are tourism and construction. Foreign direct investment amounted to about $6.8 billion through August 1997. Thailand was the biggest investor with about $2.6 billion followed by the United States with about $1.48 billion. Laos's exports were $348 million in 1995. Imports, half of which were consumer goods, were $587 million in 1995. The balance of payments account deficit and budget deficit, about 10 percent of GDP, are financed by external aid. In 1996, inflation dropped to 12 percent from 26 percent in 1995. The kip depreciated slightly as a result of inflation and the country's three-currency market. Thai baht, US dollars and kip are used interchangeably in Laos. MODERN HISTORY: Laos has contended with foreign domination throughout its history. In the 16th century Fa Ngum, a Lao prince, unified several principalities into the powerful kingdom of Lan Xang. But Lang Xang (the land of a million elephants) soon fell under the domination of Thailand and Vietnam. Laos was a Thai vassal when France imposed its protectorate over the country in the 1890s. After France restored independence in 1953, fighting broke out between the American-backed rightwing government and pro-Communist Pathet Lao, backed by the then North Vietnam. The Pathet Lao was led by Prince Souphanouvong, whose half-brother, Prime Minister Prince Souvanna Phouma, tried in 1957 and 1962 to set up national governments composed of his neutralist faction and warring rightwing and leftist elements. His effort failed and fighting continued until February 1973 when a ceasefire took effect. The Pathet Lao joined a new coalition government under Prince Souvanna in April 1974 and steadily gained control over Laos. Following communist victories in neighbouring Cambodia and Vietnam, the Pathet Lao on December 2, 1975, abolished the monarchy and named Prince Souphanouvong president. The communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party took control of the country. Phoumi Vongvichit took over as acting president in 1986 for an ailing Souphanouvong. In 1975 Kaysone Phomvihane, who headed the Lao communist party from its creation in 1955, became prime minister. Souphanouvong, known as the "Red Prince" stepped down in 1991 and Kaysone became president and General Khamtay Siphandone took over as prime minister. After Kaysone's death in 1992, hardliner Nouhak Phoumsavan replaced him as president. Nouhak's term expires in February 1998 when the 82-year old is expected to retire. Khamtay is tipped to replace him. Voting begins in Laotian general election VIENTIANE, Dec. 21 (Kyodo) -- Laotians began voting Sunday to elect lawmakers to the National Assembly in their fourth general election. A total of 159 candidates are vying for the 99 seats in the National Assembly in the second general election since the Constitution was revised in August 1991. The number of seats was previously 85. Most of the candidates were from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the sole legal political party in Laos, according to the election administration commission. Four candidates were independents, 27 were women, and 47 were from minority groups, the commission said. There are a total of 2.6 million eligible voters in Laos, and vote-counting is expected to take about 10 days, commission officials said. The first general election in Laos was held in 1975. New Lao Assembly to push for political reform By Sutin Wannabovorn VIENTIANE, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Top candidates for Laos' Sunday elections have said the new National Assembly will push for further political reforms. But diplomats based in the capital Vientiane said little is likely to change in the communist country after the poll. "The new NA (National Assembly) will have the crucial task of pushing for more political reform," Vice President Sisavat Keobounphan told factory workers late on Friday at the end of a quiet election campaign. Sisavat is one of the 160 candidates vying for 99 seats in the assembly, expanded from the current 85 seats. But despite promises to open up the political system, all but four candidates belong to the ruling Laos People Revolutionary Party's (LPRP). There are at present only four non-party members in the assembly. "The election will lead to even more conservative government and to a continuity of the party's domination," said one diplomat in the capital. But Somphong Mongkhonvilay, a vice chairman of State Planning of the Socio-Economic Development Plan, also insisted that the National Assembly -- the fourth since the communist LPRP took power in 1975 -- would aim for reform. The LPRP abolished the monarchy following communist victories in Cambodia and Vietnam that year. The first assembly drafted a new charter, the second implemented it and the third endorsed the country's economic and development plan, he said. "The crucial task of the fourth NA is to push for more political reform and we will act as the bridge between the party, people and the government," Somphong said. "(The) party will lean more to people and be more open to catch up with other ASEAN members and international community," he added. This is Laos' first election since becoming a full member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) earlier this year. The atmosphere in the capital city was quiet just one day before the election with no political activity or political discussion and only a handful of signboards and posters up. Candidates and election committee officials were confident that most if not all of the 2.27 million eligible voters would turn up to cast their vote at the semi- compulsory poll on Sunday. "It is a duty of the people to vote for the NA," said taxi driver Kamvong Sri-udom. Community leaders have banned residents from travelling far from their villages just before the election. "We will definitely go vote otherwise we will lose our job or get arrested," a worker at a Laos beer factory said. Official results of the poll are not expected to be released until the middle of January, an election commission official told Reuters.