The organization department of the Communist Party of China
(CPC) has asked all local party committees to crack down on
corruption in the election of new local leaders and make sure that
those elected are qualified.
China will go through nationwide leadership elections and
reshuffles of legislatures, governments and political advisory
bodies at the provincial levels in the first half of next year.
And the work is already underway at city, county and township
levels in some provinces, regions and municipalities.
In a circular made public on Wednesday, the Organization
Department of the CPC Central Committee called for "creating a
clean and upright environment for elections" by firmly preventing
and severely punishing misconducts such as selling and buying
government posts or offering bribes for higher positions.
The Organization Department asked local party committees to make
joint efforts with the CPC's discipline inspection committees to
firmly curb illicit activities in the elections.
Those who are found to have acquired official posts through
illegitimate means will be punished severely and prosecuted if they
break the law, particularly in regard to corruption, the circular
said.
And those who have already obtained higher official posts
through bribery will be demoted.
The elections should ensure adherence to the Party's principle
of electing only candidates with a firm political stance and great
capabilities, the circular said.
The Organization Department has urged the public to call its
"12380" hotline to report any malpractice and corrupt candidates
during the local leadership reshuffle.
The CPC Central Commission of Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and
the Organization Department jointly held a press conference in July
last year to announce that eight CPC officials had been punished,
some with long jail terms, for buying or selling government jobs.
It was seen as a move to deter similar corrupt practices in
elections.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)