China considers amending election law to give rural people more say

Source: Xinhua | 03-04-2008 12:09

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's parliament is considering amending the election law to give equal representation to rural and urban residents, said a parliament spokesman here Tuesday.

"Provided the progressing urbanization in China, the present election law needs amending," said Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the First Session of the National People's Congress (NPC), at a press conference.

According to the present election law, the number of people a rural NPC deputy represents is four times that of an urban deputy.

With the increase of urban population, it is necessary to give equal representation to the two groups, Jiang said.

The 10th NPC Standing Committee has suggested its successor to list the amendment in the legislation plan this year, according to Jiang.

However, the spokesman said "it is up to the 11th NPC Standing Committee, to be elected at the upcoming session, to make final decision."

The 4:1 ratio was based on the reality of Chinese society when the law was amended in 1995, Jiang said.

Ten years later, China had about 577 million urban residents and 723 million rural residents by 2006.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei