No votes for the 'independents'
Source: Xinhua |
June 9, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA says there is no such a thing as an "independent candidate." The term is not recognized by law, it said, amid ongoing elections of lawmakers to county and township legislatures.
The Electoral Law stipulates that candidates at county and township levels should first be nominated as "deputy candidates" and then confirmed as "official deputy candidates," said an official of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
The official had been asked about Internet announcements about "independent candidates" running for election to the grassroots people's congresses.
The Constitution and the Electoral Law grant qualified citizens the right to vote and to be elected, but election activities must adhere to the law and its specific provisions for the election procedures of lawmakers, the official said.
Citizens must first register and win confirmation of his or her qualifications for candidacy. They must then receive a nomination as a deputy candidate by political parties, social organizations, or 10 or more voters in one constituency.
Later, the list of official deputy candidates is determined based on the majority of opinions of the constituency, or in a preliminary vote if necessary.
All campaign activities must be organized by electoral committees, said the official.
China began elections of lawmakers at county and township levels on May 7, which granted, for the first time, equal representation in legislative bodies to rural and urban citizens.
More than 2 million lawmakers at the county and township levels will be elected during nationwide elections, held every five years, in more than 2,000 counties and 30,000 townships, the NPC said.
The Electoral Law stipulates that candidates at county and township levels should first be nominated as "deputy candidates" and then confirmed as "official deputy candidates," said an official of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
The official had been asked about Internet announcements about "independent candidates" running for election to the grassroots people's congresses.
The Constitution and the Electoral Law grant qualified citizens the right to vote and to be elected, but election activities must adhere to the law and its specific provisions for the election procedures of lawmakers, the official said.
Citizens must first register and win confirmation of his or her qualifications for candidacy. They must then receive a nomination as a deputy candidate by political parties, social organizations, or 10 or more voters in one constituency.
Later, the list of official deputy candidates is determined based on the majority of opinions of the constituency, or in a preliminary vote if necessary.
All campaign activities must be organized by electoral committees, said the official.
China began elections of lawmakers at county and township levels on May 7, which granted, for the first time, equal representation in legislative bodies to rural and urban citizens.
More than 2 million lawmakers at the county and township levels will be elected during nationwide elections, held every five years, in more than 2,000 counties and 30,000 townships, the NPC said.
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