Who prosecutes election-related criminal offences?

Law onCriminal Procedure

Part III

Organisations [with Responsibility for] Criminal Proceedings  and Participants in CriminalProceedings

Chapter 1

Article 22. Organisations [with responsibility for] Criminal Proceedings

Organisations [with responsibility for] criminal proceedings consist of:

• Investigation organisations;

• The Office of the Public Prosecutor;

• The People’s Courts.

Article 23. Investigation Organisations

The investigation organisations are:

1. The investigation organisation of police officers36;

2. The investigation organisation of military officers;

3. The investigation organisation of customs officers;

4. The investigation organisation of forestry officers;

5. The investigation organisations of other sectors37 as provided by thelaws.

Investigation organisations have the following rights and duties:

1. To accept and record complaints regarding offences;

2. To immediately report to the public prosecutor38 regarding offences;

3. To issue an order to open investigations, and send a copy of the orderto the public prosecutor immediately;

4. To proceed to investigate;

5. To use coercive measures as provided in the laws, as well as to releaseany suspect who was detained, and to report in writing to the publicprosecutor;

6. To appeal against the orders of lower-level public prosecutors tohigher-level public prosecutors;

7. To summarize the investigation and prepare a case file to be submittedto the public prosecutor.

In theexercise of such rights and the performance of such duties, the investigationorganisations shall carry out their activities within the scope of theirauthority as provided in the laws.

Source:

http://www.na.gov.la/docs/eng/laws/pub_adm/Criminal%20Procedure%20&%20Decree%20%282004%29%20Eng.pdf

Law on Election of NA (2001)

Chapter 9

Policies for Outstanding Performance and Measures against Persons who Violate this Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly (In this context, the term “policies” takes the meaning of “privileges” and the term “measures” takes the meaning of “sanctions”. )

Article 38. Measures Against Violators

Organisations and individuals who violate this Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly shall be subject to the following measures:

1. Re-education, for minor violations;

2. Legal proceedings, for serious cases.

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Laws%20in%20English/37.%20Law%20on%20Election%20of%20NA%20%282001%29%20Eng.pdf