Part V
Village Administration

Chapter I
Location, Role, Functions and Organization Structure

Article 46 The Village

     The village is a unit of local administration at the grassroots level. It is under the supervision of the district or municipality. A village is comprised of several households.

Article 47 Role and Functions of Village Administration

     The role and functions of the village administration is to implement and manage the socio-economic development plans of the village, to ensure security and order, to protect/preserve natural resources and the environment within the village

Article 48 the Organization Structure of the Village Administration

     A village is headed by a Village Chief and assisted by a Deputy Chief and some functional units.

Article 49 the Village Chief Election

     The Village Chief is elected by eligible voters in the village and acknowledged by the Chief of District or Mayor of Municipality.
In special circumstances, the Village Chief may be appointed or removed by the Chief of District or Mayor of Municipality.
The Deputy Village Chief can be appointed or removed by the Chief of District/ Mayor of Municipality in accordance with the proposal of the Village Chief.
The term of office of the Village Chief and Deputy Village Chief is three years. They can be re-elected or re-appointed.

Chapter II
Creation of a Village

Article 50 The Creation of a Village

     A village is created, merged, divided, abolished or its land area defined by the Governor/Mayor in accordance with the proposal of the District Chief or Mayor of Municipality.
 

Article 51 The criteria for creation of a Village

    The criteria to create a village are the following:

1. A suitable geographical location for administrative services

2. Population:

• The village in urban area should have a population of at least 1,000;
• The village in low land area should have a population of at least 500 ;
• The village in high land area/remote area should have a population of at least 200;

3. Socio-economic development conditions must be sustainable.

Chapter III
Role, Functions, Authority and Duties of the Village Chief

Article 52 The Role and Functions of the Village Chief

     The Village Chief, who is the chief executive of the Village administration, represents the Village and is responsible to the District, or Municipality administration and all villagers, in the implementation of his/her role, authority and duties.
 

Article 53 Authority and Duties of Village Chief

    The Chief of Village shall have the following authority and duties:

1. To implement the Constitution, laws, resolutions, orders, socio-economic development plans to improve the living conditions of the population; to protect natural resources and the environment; and to maintain peace and security and the orderliness in the village;
2. To disseminate the government policies and laws to all people in the village; and educate, mobilize and encourage harmony and solidarity of the people to practice their rights and meet their obligations;
3. To motivate, promote and facilitate the participation of the Lao Front for National Construction, mass organizations, civil society organizations and all economic parties and ethnic people in the socio-economic development of the village;
4. To preserve and promote good national traditions and cultures of the multi-ethnic Lao people; discourage negative phenomena and superstitious beliefs; to promote education within the community and to educate the community to be responsible for hygiene and sanitation;
5. To manage the people in the village; to support the people to get a more stable employment and sustainable livelihood;
6. To convene and preside over village administration meetings and attend meetings convened by higher level authority;
7. To propose to the District Chief /Mayor to appoint or remove the Deputy Chief of village;
8. To issue rules and notifications in accordance with laws;
9. To propose to higher level authority to suspend orders or cancel some activities which are against laws, rules and the common interests of the village;
10. To resolve local conflicts, complaints of the people within the scope of her/his authority;
11. To regularly report the overall situation in the village to the district Chief/Municipality Mayor;
12. To receive some allowances in accordance with laws;
13. To assume other authority and duties in accordance with laws.
     

Article 54 Rights and Duties of the Deputy Chief of Village.

     The Deputy Chief of Village is to assist the Village Chief, and is in charge of some functions assigned by the Chief of Village. In the case when the Chief of Village is unable to implement her/his duties for any reason, the Deputy Chief of Village takes over.

Chapter IV
illage Administration Meeting

Article 55 The Village Administration Meeting

     Regular Village administration meeting shall be held once a month and shall be convened and chaired by the Village Chief. The participants of the Village administration meeting include: the Vice Chief of the village, and heads of units. If necessary, the representatives of concerned parties shall be invited to attend.

     In cases where an emergency or urgent matter arises, the Village Chief can call a special meeting.

     In each meeting, minutes of the meeting shall be recorded. The minutes shall be approved and signed by the Chairperson, and then distributed to the participants and concerned parties for implementation.

Article 56 The Agenda of the Village Meeting

     The agenda or topics to be considered and agreed upon in the village meeting are the following:

1. Village strategy, socio-economic and environmental development plans;
2. Proposal for the creation/abolition of some offices in the organization structure of the village for consideration of higher level authority;
3. Considerate investment projects in the village;
4. Draft rules of the village;
5. Report on the implementation of planed activities of the village;
6. Annual report to the chief the district/municipality Mayor;
7. Local defense and security of the village.

     The Village administration meeting may also discuss other important and necessary issues.

Article 57 The Village Meeting

     The Chief of village convenes and chairs the village meeting. The participants in the village meeting are comprised of the Chief of village, deputy Chief of village, heads of units, and heads of families. The meeting is organized as required or as advised by higher level authority.