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Laos communists sweep election
Independent candidates could run for the first time in 2002
Laos' ruling Communist Party has won almost all the seats in parliament after last month's elections, according to reports.
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party, which is the only legal political party in the country, won 113 of 115 seats, the Vientiane Times reported.
The remaining two seats in the election, held on 30 April, were claimed by independent candidates.
Party officials will now meet to decide on a new prime minister.
Incumbent Prime Minister, Boungnang Vorachit, is expected to step down, and is likely to be replaced by either Thongloun Sisoulith and Bouasone Bouphavanh, both currently deputy leaders, the AFP news agency reported.
Earlier this year 82-year-old President Khamtay Siphandone stepped down as party leader.
Laos has been ruled by a communist government since an American-backed government fell in 1975.
The mainly agricultural country of 5.9 million people is one of Asia's poorest nations.
More than half of the newly-elected members of parliament are newcomers
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