The Lao government has approved a budget of 10 billion kips or 930,000 US dollars in support of the upcoming national elections. But that amounts to only half of what Lao officials expect to spend on the April 30 elections. So it is expected that the rest will be raised from private sectors across the nation.
Eligible Laotians will vote for 115 new members of the National Assembly out of a pool of 175 candidates representing 17 constituencies or 17 provinces across the nation.
The new National Assembly is expected to officially name Gen. Choummaly Sayasone as the new President of the Lao PDR, replacing Mr. Khamtay Siphandone who resigned during the 8th Party Congress.
LIsten to our Laos Today report for more details.