China protest village readies for local elections

BEIJING (AP) — A village in southern China where mass protests over land disputes drove out local officials and police has begun preparing for elections to replace the ousted leaders.

December's protests in Wukan village ended after provincial officials intervened and gave in to the protesters' key demands. It was a rare compromise by the Chinese government, which often suppresses protests.

Yang Semao, a deputy head of the village's election preparation panel, says around 60 percent of the village's 7,600 residents participated in a vote Wednesday to select the members of an 11-member election committee.

Yang says the committee will organize the election for new village leaders, which will take place around March 1.