Over the last three years, village elections have become more widespread and in some cases more free.

Starting in the 1980s, they allowed village elections to take place.

Members of the party have also tried to run in village elections.

Officials also said they would consider a fresh village election for clean and fair representatives to take part in future land negotiations.

Hey, talk about our high turnout at the last village election.

After several days of following village elections in northeast China with an international observer team, two lessons stand out.

The old man obviously didn't realize that voting in village elections meant he got a choice.

We saw village elections that had real open nominations and competition.

"But despite the fact that the village election is only a form or procedure, we take it seriously."

But the village elections are no herald of real democracy.