The Standing Committee of China's top legislature, National People's Congress (NPC), has started preparations for the election of deputies from Hong Kong and Macao to the 11th NPC.

The NPC Standing Committee sent letters on Thursday to eligible people in the two special administrative regions, asking them whether they are willing to be members of the Electoral Conference for the election of the NPC deputies in their respective regions.

According to law, the Electoral Conference in Hong Kong will elect 36 deputies and that in Macao 12 deputies to the 11th NPC, China's parliament.

The Electoral Conference of the Hong Kong SAR for the Election of Deputies to the 11th NPC, according to law, shall consist of the members of the Electoral Conference of the Hong Kong SAR for the Election of Deputies to the 10th NPC, members of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Hong Kong SAR who are not on that Electoral Conference, and the Chinese citizens on the Election Committee for the third term Chief Executive election, excluding those who are not willing to serve on the new Electoral Conference.

More than 1,300 people are eligible to be members of Hong Kong's Electoral Conference, one third more than the last Electoral Conference.

The Electoral Conference of the Macao SAR for the Election of Deputies to the 11th NPC shall consist of the members of the Electoral Conference of the Macao SAR for the Election of Deputies to the 10th NPC, members of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Macao who are not on that Electoral Conference, and the Chinese citizens on the Election Committee for the election of the second term Chief Executive and the Third Legislative Council of the Macao SAR, excluding those who are not willing to serve on the new Electoral Conference.

More than 300 people are eligible to be members of Macao's Electoral Conference, a 50 percent increase over the number of the last Electoral Conference.

Those who are willing to be members of the Electoral Conference are required to register at relevant offices in Hong Kong and Macao between July 10 and 25.

The National People's Congress serves a term of five years, and the 11th NPC will come into office in March 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2007)