During the campaign period for the election of members of the 10th National Assembly and the 5th Provincial People’s Councils, Sounthone Xayachak, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the National Assembly, and a National Assembly candidate for Electoral District 13 in Savannakhet Province, told the media on February 14, 2026 that the upcoming vote carries special significance and differs in several key aspects from the previous term.

She said the election takes place in the wake of three major national commemorations at the end of 2025: the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Lao PDR, and the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane.

A total of 243 candidates are contesting 175 seats in the National Assembly, while 1,041 candidates are competing for 745 seats in provincial people’s councils nationwide. In Electoral District 13, 28 candidates are running. Campaign activities were divided into two teams, with Team 1 having visited nine districts by February 14 and expected to conclude activities on February 20 in Kaysone Phomvihane District.

She said this election introduces more ambitious targets than the previous term. While earlier benchmarks were set at 300 percent across key areas, the current election sets four 100 percent targets: full voter participation, full public understanding of electoral rights and procedures, guaranteed peace and security, and transparent, timely election administration.

The candidate structure also reflects a shift in profile. Younger and middle-aged candidates make up the majority, while senior candidates account for approximately 10–15 percent. Greater emphasis has also been placed on women’s participation, with the aim of electing women to at least 30 percent of seats.

Another notable feature is the participation of 36 senior leaders as candidates, including members of the Party’s Political Bureau, a Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and other full and alternate members of the Central Committee. For the first time, provincial party secretaries are contesting National Assembly seats while also serving as chairs of provincial people’s councils in 18 electoral districts nationwide.

Despite these differences, she stressed that the central objective remains unchanged: ensuring all eligible citizens can exercise their democratic rights in accordance with the law.

She expressed confidence that the election will help strengthen political stability and security, and called on voters nationwide to fulfill their civic responsibility by casting ballots on Sunday, February 22.

KPL