A GROUP of independent-minded deputies to the Guangdong People's Congress have jointly nominated their own man to compete with seven candidates handpicked by the authorities.
The new candidate, Mr Xu Deli, is the Director of the General Office of the Guangdong Government.
Mr Xu was nominated by 10 deputies from the city of Chaozhou. The presidium of the current congress had already accepted the nomination.
However, Mr Xu wrote to the presidium to explain that he did not want to stand for election, which will be held today. But the Chaozhou deputies insisted he vie with the Beijing-endorsed candidates.
Analysts said the unexpected nomination of Mr Xu had complicated the usual routine of Chinese-style ''parliamentary democracy''.
The seven candidates nominated by Beijing include five incumbents in addition to Foshan party chief Mr Ou Guangyuan, and secretary-general of the provincial government Mr Zhong Qiquan.