A senior official in Hebei Province was sacked for vote buying amid a government reshuffle, People Daily reported today.

The department under the provincial committee of the Communist Party of China announced yesterday that Li Junqu, the governor assistant and a member of the provincial committee, was sacked from his posts as he called, visited and sent gifts to people to win votes during the provincial Party standing committee and government elections, the report said.

China has punished or fired 192 officials for election fraud during 2006 and 2007 elections for party committees, heads of people's congresses, and heads of government and advisory bodies, said a circular of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee in February.

The appointments of 613 people have been rectified.

(Shanghai Daily December 4, 2007)