Article 34 of the Chinese Constitution states All citizens of the People鈥檚 Republic of China who have reached the age of 18, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, occupation, family background, religious belief, level of education, property status鈥俹r length of residence,鈥俿hall鈥俬ave the right to vote and stand for election; persons deprived of political rights鈥俰n accordance with鈥痩aw shall鈥俠e an exception.
Levels of government
Under China's National People's Congress, there are five levels of People's Congress:
Provincial level
Quasi-provincial level
Prefectural-level
Country-level
Township-level
Ordinary Chinese citizens can vote for deputies to represent them at the two lowest, most local levels of People's Congress. Although anyone can stand for election at these levels, candidates must be approved in advance by the CCP.
Deputies elected to each level can then vote for the deputies who will sit in the level of congress above.
Villages
Voters must be over 18 years old to vote for village committees. This occurs every three years by secret ballot. In theory, anyone can stand as a candidate without needing prior approval from the CCP. In practice independent candidates or candidates who disagree with the CCP are not encouraged.