Analysis: Wukan village elections on the significance of China's democratic process (translation of Chinese edition)

Updated February 1, 2012, 12:38 GMT

Wukan the village election committee elections (February 1) Public opinion at home and abroad as "of great symbolic significance" of the Wu Kan village elections at 9:00 on February 1 start, end at 4 pm, at the time of writing this article, the counting result has not been announced. Wednesday's vote in the EC, the villagers more than 70 percent turnout, according to an absolute majority of the law, Wu Kan village majority of the order of the Commission members will be elected, resulting in 22 candidates in the 11 EC members. The newly elected EC will be responsible for the plan will be held in the week after the election of village representatives and village work. Some people Wukan village of the election as "no political interference in the election," but Wukan EC freedom and fairness of the election how much it? BBC Chinese network correspondent telephone interview from December 22 last year, entered the village observe the electoral process Wukan private think tank Beijing citizens to participate in the new enlightenment Legislative Research Center for Xiong.

Different treatment of domestic and foreign media

Xiong said that this election can not be sure as there is no political interference, because the government's management of the election is still very strict, such as election procedures on the decision by the government. For example, he said, one innovation in this election is Wukan proposed use secret ballot of villagers, but the Government does not permit, then the villagers to produce their own more than a dozen secret ballot, to vote to use. Xiong also told the BBC Chinese network, despite the successful elections the foreign media interviews and reports, but the treatment is different domestic correspondents, he heard many reporters covering the registration of their own newspaper headquarters in Wu Kan received the phone and told them not to express been reported. Despite the reservations just freedom and openness, Wukan election is still widely regarded as of great symbolic significance, including the central government, including all levels of government in this "village democracy test" pay close attention, so it is China can lead to further primary election reform?

Ability to form a "Wukan mode"

Xiong think it will depend on the overall political situation and China's leaders around the commitment to reform. Wu Kan village elections some innovative, if it were to adopt these innovations, China's grass-roots democratic elections there will be development, otherwise it just a case, with some example.

The end of November last year, clashes broke out Wu Kan, now due to the successful conclusion of the election Commission to obtain initial victory, and the possible formation of "Wukan mode" can reduce future grievances and group events, but it is those in power and people are really concerned about. Xiong Wei's answer is very optimistic, he said, the old village is formed by the above default, and its decision will not be the consent of the villagers; and the new village committee is elected, it must be responsible to the people. More importantly, Wukan the future to establish a system of village representatives to improve the core of the village selfgovernment for the new organization, the village has the greatest power in Wukan will not village, but villagers' representatives. For reporters on the sustainability of the democratic electoral process concerns, Xiong think is excessive, he said, Wukan people will taste the benefits of democracy, and more and more Wukan villagers know more laws Therefore, the democratic election process will continue in Wukan.