Laos is preparing for two major political events in early 2026 with the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and nationwide elections for the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils.
The 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party opens on Tuesday in Vientiane and runs from 6th–8th January. The meeting will elect new party leadership and set Laos’s development direction for the next five years.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Politburo member and Head of the Congress Secretariat Professor Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune said 834 delegates will attend, including 123 women. The delegates represent 421,865 party members from across the country, with an additional 388 invited guests also expected.
Delegates were elected from party committees at ministerial level, equivalent organisations, and provincial bodies. According to organisers, they reflect a wide range of social backgrounds, ethnic groups, genders, and age groups.
Professor Dr Kikeo described the congress as a major political and historical event for both the party and the nation. Held every five years, it will assess progress since the previous congress and outline priorities for the next phase of national development.
The congress is being held under the theme: “Elevate the Party’s strong leadership role, actively build an independent and self-reliant economy, continue to nurture the people’s democratic regime, and advance steadfastly towards socialism.”
Delegates will consider and adopt four key documents: the Party’s third political project, the political report of the 11th Party Central Committee, the 10th five year National Socio Economic Development Plan for 2026 to 2030, and revised Party regulations relating to the 12th Central Committee.
“These documents will determine the Party’s political strategy and guidelines, organisational guidelines, and the State’s socio-economic development direction over the coming years, taking into account Laos’ particular circumstances,” Professor Dr Kikeo said.
The congress will elect the 12th Party Central Committee, the Party’s highest leading body. The newly elected committee will then choose the Party Secretary General, members of the Politburo, and members of other key Party bodies.
Professor Dr Kikeo said preparations for the congress began in 2023 and involved consultations at both central and local levels, as well as discussions with friendly countries, to ensure the documents reflect broad input.
Daily updates will be released during the congress, with a full report to be made public after its conclusion.
The party meeting comes ahead of nationwide elections scheduled for 22nd February to elect members of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils. The election will be overseen by a 21 member National Election Committee chaired by National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Lao citizens aged 18 and above will be eligible to vote unless legally restricted, while authorities continue compiling candidate lists.
The vote will select 175 National Assembly members nationwide, up from 164 in the current 9th Legislature. Each member represents around 50,000 citizens. The 9th Legislature will complete its five year term on 22 March, after which the 10th Legislature will assume office.
Following the election, the new Assembly will elect state leaders, approve the next government cabinet, and adopt the National Socio Economic Development Plan for 2026–2030. The last national elections were held in February 2021.
Laos’s political calendar unfolds amid broader transitions across Southeast Asia. In Myanmar, military authorities began the first phase of a nationwide election on 28 December 2025, with further stages scheduled for 11th January and 25th January. The vote follows the military takeover in February 2021 and has drawn criticism from opposition groups and international observers over security conditions, participation limits, and party exclusions.
Polling in Myanmar is taking place only in selected areas, with ongoing conflict preventing voting in several regions.
Elsewhere in the region, political attention remains focused on developments in Thailand, while Indonesia continues its post election transition following its 2024 polls. Political pressures also persist in Malaysia.
Lao officials have emphasised that maintaining a smooth and orderly process remains a priority as the country advances its development agenda during a period of heightened political activity across the region.
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