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 The Party is working towards further ideological emancipation and the abolition of outdated concepts.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)