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)