Elections of deputies to the people's congresses is an important manifestation of the people being the masters of the country, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday.

President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when casting his ballot at a voting booth to elect lawmakers for the local people's congress in his district.

The election of deputies to the people's congresses is the basis of the people's congress system, he said, stressing ensuring interconnection of democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management and oversight to continuously enhance the whole-process people's democracy. 

The concept of "whole-process people's democracy" was first used by Xi when he visited Shanghai in November 2019.  

Emphasizing on strengthening oversight of the entire process of elections, he called for zero tolerance on any violations of the regulations and laws on elections to ensure that the results are satisfactory to the people. 

Six other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, including Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Li Zhanshu, also cast their votes at polling stations in Beijing. 

The deputies, 4,898 at district and 11,137 at township levels, after being elected, will vote for the new lineup of local governments at the grassroots legislature's plenary session. 

In keeping with the Constitution and laws, China has started its township- and county-level congress elections in the first half of this year. 

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping casts his ballot at a polling station to elect deputies to the Xicheng District People's Congress, in Huairentang, Zhongnanhai electoral district in Xicheng District, Beijing, China, November 5, 2021. /Xinhua)