|
Nearly 3,000 deputies to the 12th National People's Congress will be elected by January 2013, with more seats given to workers and farmers, according to a draft decision by China's top legislature. The draft was submitted to the annual legislative session on Thursday. Explaining the draft decision, Li Jianguo, vice-chairman of the 11th NPC Standing Committee, said that a "broad representation among deputies is not only the essential requirement of the system of people's congresses, but also the embodiment of a socialist democracy." Of the number of deputies to the 12th NPC, the proportion at the primary level will increase, especially from among frontline workers, farmers and technicians, Li said. There also will be a significant increase in the number of deputies from among migrant workers and a drop in the number of deputies who are Communist Party or government officials. The 11th NPC will end its term in March 2013, and new NPC deputies must be elected by that time. The draft decision also stipulates that the proportion of women deputies shall be greater than in the last NPC, but Li said "the greatest feature of the election" was that the congress reflected the same population ratio between urban and rural areas. Success in the election will be of extreme importance to developing socialist and democratic politics, ensuring that the people are the masters of the country and improving the strength of the State, Li said. | 
