BEIJING -- A plenary meeting is held during the ongoing national legislative session to hear the explanations of draft amendment to the Criminal Procedural Law, draft decision on deputy election for the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), and draft methods for the election of deputies to the 12th NPC from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

China will elect deputies to its top legislature next year based on the same population ratio in rural and urban areas, according to the draft decision on lawmaker election tabled for deliberation.

Deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) take notes at a plenary meeting during the annual session of the 11th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mar 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

For the first time, the quota of 2,000 deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) will be given to urban and rural residents based on the same population ratio, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Law.

"NPC deputies are the component members of the highest organ of state power who represent the interests and will of the people and participate, pursuant to the law, in the exercise of state power," said Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, while explaining the draft decision to a plenary meeting of the NPC annual session.

The draft amendment to China's Criminal Procedure Law was also submitted to the ongoing national legislative session Thursday for third reading, incorporating the principle of respecting and safeguarding human rights.

The draft amendment to Criminal Procedure Law was also submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for first reading in August 2011 and for second reading in December 2011.

A deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) takes notes at a plenary meeting during the annual session of the 11th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mar 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]