Parliamentary elections were held in Laos on 21 December 1997.[1] A total of 159 candidates contested the 99 seats, all but four of which were Lao People's Revolutionary Party members. All candidates were pre-screened by the LPRP.[2] The LPRP won 98 seats, with an independent winning the remaining seat.[3] Voter turnout was reported to be 99.4%.[1]