Law
On Local Administration of the Lao PDR

Part I
General Provisions

Article 1 the Objectives of Local Administration Law of the Lao PDR

     The Local Administration Law outlines the basic principles concerning the organization, functions and working methods of the local administration with the aim to improve and establish strong, transparent, unified and systematic local administration throughout country; to ensure the effective implementation of the constitution, laws, socio-economic development and state budget plans, and to protect the rights and benefits of the state and the people in accordance with the law.

Article 2 Local Administration

     Local administration is the state administration at the local level. There are three levels of local administration in the Lao PDR : Province, District and Village.
At the provincial level, there are provinces, cities and, if required, a Special Zone;At the district level, there are districts and municipalities;
At the village level, there are villages.
The government delegates responsibility to the local administration authorities to manage the territory, natural resources and population in order to preserve and develop into a modern, civil and prosperous society.

Article 3 Location and Overall Role of Local Administration

     The local administration has the role to represent the locality and be responsible to the government in administering political, socio-economic and cultural affairs; human resource management; the utilization and preservation/protection of natural resources, the environment and other resources; national and local defense and security and other foreign relations responsibilities assigned by the government.

     The head of the provincial administration is the Governor. The head of the city is the Mayor. The head of the district is the Chief of District. The head of the municipality is the Chief of the Municipality. The head of the village is the Village Chief.

Article 4 Authority and Duties of Local Administration

     The authority and duties of local administration are:

1. To implement the constitution, laws, resolutions, orders, socio-economic development plans and state budget plans within its' area of responsibility;
2. To prepare a strategic plan incorporating: socio-economic development plans, state budget plans and defense and security plans based on national strategic plans;
3. To manage political, socio-economic and cultural affairs, natural resources, environment and national defense and security;
4. To issue resolutions, decisions, orders, instructions, and notifications regarding socio-economic and cultural management, national defense and security in accordance with laws;
5. To supervise the performance of the organizations under its' responsibility;
6. To collaborate and cooperate with foreign countries as directed by the government; and
7. To assume other authorities and duties in accordance with laws.
   
   

Article 5 Organization Principles and Functions of Local Administration

     The organization and functions of the local administration are implemented in accordance with the principle of centralized democracy and deconcentration, which divides responsibility among management levels. The village level reports to the district level, the district level reports to the provincial level and the provincial level reports to the government under the guidance and responsibility of the Party Committee based on the constitution and laws.

     Local administration is authorized to conduct meetings to discuss and decide on important local issues.