Beijing farmer Liu Xiyin has been sentenced to a half year in prison by the Beijing Fengtai District Court for offering money in exchange for votes, in the first election bribery case in China's capital.

According to the court ruling, Changxindian Township under Fengtai District of Beijing held a by-election on Feb. 25 for a deputy to its people's congress, Monday's China Youth Daily reported.

Liu offered 10 yuan for every vote for his appointed candidate and spent altogether more than 300 yuan. The election result was annulled after the bribery was discovered, according to the newspaper.

Liu was convicted of the crime of election sabotage by the district court. People who aim to control election results by violent means, cheating, bribery or fabricating election documents, will be accused of committing election sabotage in China.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2004)