A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Friday called for more openness and transparency in this year's election of Party committee members at the grassroots level.

Li Yuanchao, the head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection of east China's Jiangxi Province.

"The election of new Party committee officials is of great importance for regional development. An honest and orderly election will guarantee the country's scientific development and social harmony in terms of ideology, politics and organization," Li said.

Li urged that inner-Party democracy be promoted through the expansion of the election scope and the improvement of openness and transparency to strengthen the Party's credibility in selecting and using personnel.

Li further urged Party committees and organization departments at all levels to seriously punish all election irregularities, such as winning votes through manipulation of voters or bribery. He also spoke against manipulation of votes through threats or deception.

The CPC holds elections for Party committees at the provincial, city, county and township level every five years.