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

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.