LAOTIAN PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER CAST VOTE IN GENERAL ELECTION IN VIENTIANE, 2002-02-24 (photo)

Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad (L) accompanies President Khamtay Siphandone (R) to cast their votes at a polling station in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on February 24, 2002. Roughly half of Laos' 5.4 million population go to over 5,000 poll booths in 18 constituencies nationwide to vote for 166 candidates for the 109 member National Assembly on Sunday. Election results in the mountainous country are expected to be known in the next 10 days, but analysts see little change in the secretive Communist regime, which has ruled the country for 26 years. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang NWA/PB