Preparations begin for election of HK, Macao deputies to 12th NPC

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-6-12 14:07:34

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has started preparations for the election of deputies from Hong Kong and Macao to the 12th NPC.

The general office of the NPC Standing Committee sent letters on Sunday to eligible people in the two special administrative regions (SARs), asking them if they wish to become members of electoral councils for the election of NPC deputies in their respective regions.

According to relevant laws, the electoral council in Hong Kong will elect 36 deputies, while that of Macao will elect 12 deputies to the 12th NPC.

Both figures are the same as those for the current 11th NPC, which will end its term in March 2013, the general office said in a statement on Monday.

According to the methods used for the election of deputies to the 12th NPC from Hong Kong SAR adopted by the fifth session of the 11th NPC in March this year, the electoral council of the Hong Kong SAR shall consist of the members of the electoral council of the Hong Kong SAR for the election of deputies to the 11th NPC, members of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from the Hong Kong SAR who are not on that electoral council and Chinese citizens on the election committee for the fourth term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, excluding those who are not willing to serve on the new electoral council.

More than 1,800 people are eligible to be members of Hong Kong's electoral council, about one-third more than the last electoral council, according to the general office.

According to the methods used for the election of deputies to the 12th NPC from Macao SAR adopted by the fifth session of the 11th NPC in March this year, the electoral council of the Macao SAR shall consist of the members of the electoral council of the Macao SAR for the election of deputies to the 11th NPC, members of the 11th CPPCC National Committee from Macao who are not on that electoral council, Chinese citizens on the election committee for the election of the third-term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR and Chinese citizens in the fourth Legislative Council of the Macao SAR, excluding those who are not willing to serve on the new electoral council.

More than 380 people are eligible to be members of Macao's electoral council, an increase of more than 50 people from the last council.

Those who are willing to be members of the electoral council are required to register at relevant offices in Hong Kong and Macao between July 10 and 25.

According to relevant laws, elections of the 12th NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao shall be conducted by the NPC Standing Committee. The NPC Standing Committee shall publish a list of names of the members of the electoral council.

The NPC serves a term of five years. The 12th NPC will come into office in March 2013.



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