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)