Officials in charge of public security preparations meet with Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, on Tuesday.

Vientiane authorities urged to tighten security during elections

Authorities in Vientiane have been urged to strengthen security measures and ensure full readiness to guarantee the safe and orderly organisation of the 10th National Assembly and 5th Provincial People’s Council elections.
In the run up to the elections on February 22, the Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, toured voting stations on Tuesday to monitor defence and public security preparations.
As a member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and the official in charge of overseeing public order and security, Lt. Gen. Vanthong led a delegation to review the implementation of security plans and coordination mechanisms aimed at maintaining political stability and social order during the election period.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Sililatthongsinh Thongpheng, along with representatives of national and capital-level election committees and sub-committees.
Mr Sililatthongsinh noted that Vientiane has 685,808 eligible voters. A total of 843 polling stations have been set up, comprising eight mobile units and 59 specific units for national defence and public security forces.
The 23,349 eligible voters living in other countries will cast their ballots at 41 polling stations.
Election committees have been formed at the capital level and across Vientiane’s nine districts, with training provided to key personnel. Campaign activities have been conducted at 142 locations throughout the capital.
All necessary materials, including ballot boxes, ballots, posters, and related documents, have been fully prepared and are being distributed to districts, with completion scheduled by February 15.
Comprehensive security plans have been implemented at all polling stations to ensure orderly and safe voting. Early voting for national defence and public security forces and officials stationed abroad is scheduled for February 14.
In outlining future directions, the Vientiane election committee pledged to continue strengthening public awareness campaigns, review voter statistics, and ensure polling station readiness, while coordinating closely with central authorities to guarantee accurate and transparent vote counting.
Lt. Gen. Vanthong stressed that authorities must heighten their responsibility in safeguarding Party and State policies and preventing any acts of sabotage.
He emphasised the need to use modern working methods, maintain strict discipline, and uphold the patriotic traditions of the armed forces.
He also called for strengthened specialised operations to monitor and gather information on ill-intentioned groups that could potentially cause unrest, while paying attention to social media management, immigration, household registration, and traffic order. Border management and protection must be tightened to prevent political instability.
He underscored the importance of unity and close coordination between national defence and public security forces and election committees at all levels.
The minister further emphasised that early voting on February 14 must strictly comply with established procedures to ensure the elections are conducted in a peaceful, secure, and orderly manner and achieve their intended objectives.
The upcoming election of members of the 10th Legislature of the National Assembly and 5th Provincial People’s Councils are slated for February 22.
Under the 2025 Constitution, voters nationwide — including people from all ethnicities and sectors — will elect 175 members to the National Assembly, an increase from the current 164. Elected representatives will play a key role in shaping national laws, policies, and the country’s development direction.
The new National Assembly will also appoint top state leaders and endorse the government’s socio economic development plan for 2026–2030.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 12, 2026)