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    All eligible electors of the region have the right to vote in the election of the chief executive and select one of the candidates for the office, according to the decision.

    The chief executive-elect, after being selected through universal suffrage, shall have to be appointed by the Central Government, the decision ruled.

    The specific method of universal suffrage shall be prescribed in accordance with legal procedures through amending Annex I to the Hong Kong Basic Law. Such amendments must be endorsed by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Legislative Council and with the consent of the chief executive before being submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for approval, the NPC Standing Committee decided.

    If the specific method of universal suffrage for selecting the chief executive is not adopted in accordance with legal procedures, the method used for selecting Hong Kong’s leader for the preceding term shall continue to apply, the decision said.

    The NPC Standing Committee also decided the existing formation method and voting procedures for the Legislative Council shall not be amended.

    After the election of the chief executive by universal suffrage, the election of all the members of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR may be implemented by the same method, according to the decision.

    (Xinhua)