General secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith casts his vote during the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos.

More than 4.76 million eligible voters nationwide are expected to cast their ballots. A total of 175 members will be elected to the 10th National Assembly, along with 745 members to serve on the fifth Provincial People's Councils. ■

Citizens register and collect ballots at a polling station in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane casts his vote during the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Staff members check the ballot boxes at a polling station in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Citizens register and collect ballots at a polling station in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

General secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith casts his vote during the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Vientiane, Laos, Feb. 22, 2026. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday for the election of members of the Lao National Assembly's 10th legislature and the fifth Provincial People's Councils in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)