Twelve people from different sectors of the Macao society were
elected in Macao Sunday as deputies to the 11th National People's
Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.
Lionel Vai Tac Leong, president of the Macao Research Center for
Sustainable Development Strategies, and Lau Ngai Leung, incumbent
deputies to the 10th NPC, topped the ballot tally by winning 304
votes from 319 members attending the second plenary session of the
Conference for Electing Deputies of Macao Special Administrative
Region (SAR) to the 11th NPC.
Three of the four female nominees won in the NPC deputy
election, which was held at the Macao Tower Convention and
Entertainment Center. The 11th NPC is to convene in Beijing to
elect new state leaders and discuss state affairs this March.
Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the NPC Standing
Committee Sheng Huaren attended the second plenary session of the
conference, which was presided by the MSAR Chief Executive Edmund
Ho Hau Wah.
In his speech after the election, Sheng congratulated on those
newly-elected deputies, saying the election of MSAR deputies to the
11th NPC had strictly complied with the law and had proceeded by
giving full play to democracy.
"It is an open, fair and just election," he said, "I believe the
election will be widely recognized by different sectors of the
Macao society."
As for the outgoing deputies to the 10th NPC, Sheng spoke highly
of their effective contribution to helping the country develop
economy, implement the principal of "One Country, Two Systems" and
maintain prosperity and stability in Macao.
The 12 deputies elect will formally be installed into office
after they pass detailed audit by a panel under the Standing
Committee of the 10th NPC.
(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2008)