The Communist Party of China (CPC) local committee elections
represent an enormous step towards the promotion of reform and
democracy in China, an official with the CPC central authorities
said on Sunday.
These elections help to realize the strategic goal of building a
socialist, harmonious society, the official said.
At the same time, the Party will continue to try to increase its
governance capabilities and maintain the progressiveness of its
members.
The official outlined how the Party will ensure that new local
leaders will firmly implement the Party line and policy of building
socialism with Chinese characteristics.
New methods have been adopted to examine and assess candidates
in a scientific way, with new criteria to evaluate their work, in
accordance with the scientific concept of development.
The CPC plans to promote internal democracy throughout the whole
process of electing new local leaders, whilst upholding the rights
of Party members and the public in relation to knowledge,
participation, selection and supervision.
Opinions on the candidates will be sought from different groups,
and people will be free to openly air their views of the
nominees.
Younger Party members are also being encouraged to stand for
elections. The Party is working towards further ideological
emancipation and the abolition of outdated concepts.
The central leadership of the Party will severely punish those
who are found to have cheated in any way in the elections, warned
the official.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)