Laos’s parliament building. Photo credit: Flickr/ilf_ (CC BY-SA 2.0)
KEY FACTS
Freedom House Rating
Not Free
Government Type
Communist State
Population
7.4 million |
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Parliamentary Elections
March 2026 (due) |
PAST ELECTIONS
Parliamentary Elections
February 21, 2021
|
Laos held parliamentary elections and provincial on February 21, 2021.
Political Context
Laos is a one-party communist state. Democracy activists and dissidents face arrest and forced disappearances. In previous elections, all candidates are members of (or approved by) the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LRPR). Moreover, there is no organized opposition in the country. Therefore, elections are neither free nor fair, and do not offer voters any real choices.
In 2016, Laos held provincial elections for the first time. But similar to the parliamentary elections, the provincial polls did not meet standards for free or fair elections.
Curated News and Analysis
Maria Siow, South China Morning Post (February 21, 2021): Laos leaders fear ‘domino effect’ of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement amid election
Mu Sochua, The Diplomat (February 19, 2021): Laos’ Pointless Election
David Hutt, Asia Times (November 27, 2019): Laos democrats fight a lonely losing struggle
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
Updated March 1, 2021
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Last Updated: March 1, 2021 by 21votes
Laos’s parliament building. Photo credit: Flickr/ilf_ (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Freedom House Rating
Not Free
Government Type
Communist State
Population
7.4 million
Parliamentary Elections
March 2026 (due)
Parliamentary Elections
February 21, 2021
Laos held parliamentary elections and provincial on February 21, 2021.
Political Context
Laos is a one-party communist state. Democracy activists and dissidents face arrest and forced disappearances. In previous elections, all candidates are members of (or approved by) the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LRPR). Moreover, there is no organized opposition in the country. Therefore, elections are neither free nor fair, and do not offer voters any real choices.
In 2016, Laos held provincial elections for the first time. But similar to the parliamentary elections, the provincial polls did not meet standards for free or fair elections.
Curated News and Analysis
Maria Siow, South China Morning Post (February 21, 2021): Laos leaders fear ‘domino effect’ of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement amid election
Mu Sochua, The Diplomat (February 19, 2021): Laos’ Pointless Election
David Hutt, Asia Times (November 27, 2019): Laos democrats fight a lonely losing struggle
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
Updated March 1, 2021
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Category: Overview Tags: Laos
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“For the sake of peace and justice, let us move toward a world in which all people are at last free to determine their own destiny.” Ronald Reagan, Address to Members of the British Parliament
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