National Assembly (Laos)

National Assembly ສະພາແຫ່ງຊາດ Sapha Heng Xat
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
President	Pany Yathotu, Lao People's Revolutionary Party
Structure
Seats	132
Political groups	Lao People's Revolutionary Party (128)      Independents (4)
Elections
Last election	30 April 2011
Meeting place
Vientiane, Laos
Website
www.na.gov.la

The National Assembly (Laotian: Sapha Heng Xat) is the unicameral parliament of Laos. The National Assembly meets in Vientiane.

Laos is a one-party state. This means that only one political party, the Revolutionary People's Party of Laos, is legally allowed to hold effective power. Most of the National Assembly's actions simply rubber stamp the party's decisions. Efforts have been made to increase the capacity of its members, aiming to strengthen their legislative, oversight, and representational capacities.

History

The National Assembly was established in its current form by the Lao Constitution of 1991, replacing the Supreme People's Assembly (the latter also formerly known as the Supreme People's Council). After the December 1997 elections, the number of seats were increased to 99, a new structure was announced and Samane Vignaket was elected as its president.

Committees

Parliamentary committees of the National Assembly currently include:

• Law Committee
• Economy, Planning and Finance Committee
• Cultural and Social Committee
• Ethnic Affairs Committee
• National Defence and Security Committee
• Foreign Affairs Committee

Latest election

 Summary of 20 March 2016 National Assembly of Laos election results

	Seats
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (Phak Paxaxôn Pativat Lao)	144
Non-partisans	5
Total	149

See also

• List of Presidents of the National Assembly of Laos
• Politics of Laos

External links

• Official website