In southern China, more than 6,000 villagers participated in a symbolic election. They are voting to select members for an election to oversee upcoming ballots.
For Xue Jianwan, daughter of the village protest organizer, who died in police custody last year --- the day was filled with emotion.
She said it was a day her father had hoped for and that she wanted to do her best to fulfill his final wish.
The peaceful vote was part of a ongoing protest against illegal land grabs and corruption. It started with riots in September. By December, angry villagers had expelled the leadership and barricaded themselves in for a dramatic 10 day standoff in December. The move forced concessions from the provincial government, which acknowledged mistakes.
The foray in grassroots democracy is a departure from Communist Party policy, which maintains tight control from Beijing to the townships.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
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