The National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic is the leading national legislature of Laos.
History
The Supreme People's Assembly I
The Supreme People's Assembly I was the first Legislature of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong was the first president with Sisomphone Lovanxay, Sithon Kommadam, Khamsouk Keola, and Faydang Lobliayao becoming the initial Vice-Presidents. Khamsouk Keola also became Secretary General.[1]
It started with 45 members, 4 of which were women.[1]
The Supreme People's Assembly II
The Supreme People's Assembly II was formed on the 26 March 1989.[1]
There were 75 members, of which women comprised 5 members. Nouhak Phoumsavanh was the president of the Supreme People’s Assembly during this period. The Supreme People’s Assembly created the first constitution of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on 14 August 1991 at the sixth ordinary session.[1]
The Supreme People's Assembly III
The third Supreme People’s Assembly was elected on 20 December 1992. Samane Vignaket was made president. The third Supreme People’s Assembly changed the name of itself to the National Assembly.[1]
There were 85 members, 8 of which were women.[1]
The National Assembly IV
The National Assembly IV was elected on 21 December 1997 with 99 members, 21 of which were women. Samane Vignaket was reelected president, along with 3 Vice-Presidents.[1]
The National Assembly V
The fifth National Assembly was elected on the 24 February 2002 with 109 members, of which there were 25 women.[1]
Representatives were determined from 18 constituency, the 16 provinces, along with the Xaysomboun Special Zone and the Vientiane Municipality. There is one member for every 50,000 citizens and each province must have at least 3 members.[1]
The National Assembly V made modifications to the Lao PDR constitution during its tenure.[1]
The National Assembly VI
The National Assembly VI was elected on 30 April 2006 with 115 members, 29 of which were women. Thongsing Thamavong was elected president along with 2 Vice-Presidents.[1]
The National Assembly VII
The National Assembly VII was elected on 30 April 2011 with 132 members, of which 33 were women. Pany Yathotou was elected president along with 2 Vice-Presidents.[1]
The National Assembly VIII
The National Assembly VIII was elected on 20 April 2016 with 149 members, 41 of which were women. Pany Yathotou was reelected president, along with 4 Vice-Presidents.[1]
The National Assembly Office was changed to the Secretariat.[1]
The National Assembly IX
The National Assembly IX was elected on 21 February 2021 with 164 members out of 224 possible candidates. This included 36 women. Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane was elected president along with 5 Vice-Presidents.[1]