Lao Front for National Development

The Lao Front for National Development (LFND; Lao: ແນວລາວສ້າງຊາດ, Neo Lao Sang Xat) is a Laotian popular front founded in 1979, and led by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Its task is to organize Laotian mass mobilization, and other socio-political, organizations. In 1988, its tasks were expanded to include certain ethnic minority affairs.^[1] It is also in charge of religious affairs; all religious organizations within Laos must register with the LFND.^[2]

Lao Front for National Development ແນວລາວສ້າງຊາດ neo lao sang xat
Founded	1979; 46 years ago (1979)
Preceded by	Pathet Lao
Headquarters	Xam Neua, Houaphanh Province, Laos
Ideology	Communism Marxism–Leninism Kaysone Phomvihane Thought
Political position	Far-left
National Assembly	164 / 164
Politics of Laos Political parties Elections

An LFND building in Xam Neua

Presidents

Name	Period
Souphanouvong	1979–1986
Phoumi Vongvichit	1986–1991
Maisouk Xaysompheng	1991-1996
Oudom Khattiya	1996–1998
Sisavath Keobounphanh	2001–2011
Phandoungchit Vongsa	2011–2016
Xaysomphone Phomvihane	2016–2021
Sinlavong Khoutphaitoun	2021–present

Formerly Front organisations

• Neo Lao Issara (Free Lao Front) (1950–1956), chairman: Souphanouvong
• Neo Lao Hak Sat (Lao Patriotic Front) (1956–1979), chairman: Souphanouvong

Electoral history

National Assembly elections

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Government
1958		~33%	9 / 60	9	1st
1960			0 / 59	9
1989		100%	79 / 79	79	1st	Sole legal coalition
1992	2,009,727	100%	85 / 85	6	1st	Sole legal coalition
1997	2,284,632	100%	99 / 99	14	1st	Sole legal coalition
2002	2,543,403	100%	109 / 109	10	1st	Sole legal coalition
2006	2,819,904	100%	115 / 115	6	1st	Sole legal coalition
2011	3,230,000	100%	132 / 132	17	1st	Sole legal coalition
2016	3,657,026	100%	149 / 149	17	1st	Sole legal coalition
2021	3,973,017	100%	158 / 158	14	1st	Sole legal coalition