Elections to local committees of the Communist Party of China (CPC) represent an enormous step toward the promotion of reform and democracy in China, an official with the CPC central authorities said Sunday.

The elections of new leaderships at provincial, city, county and township levels will help to realize the strategic goal of building a socialist, harmonious society, said the official.

Meanwhile, the Party will continue to try to increase its governance capabilities and maintain the progressiveness of its members, the official said.

The official outlined how the Party will ensure new local leaders who 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 leaderships, by ensuring the rights of Party members and the public to knowledge, participation, selection and supervision.

Opinions will be sought from different groups on the candidates, while ensuring a sound environment for people to openly air their views on the candidates.

Great efforts will be made to nominate leading young candidates as new leaders as the Party is calling for further ideological emancipation and the abolition of outdated concepts.

The central leadership of the Party will severely punish those who have engaged in malpractice in the elections, warned the official.

Meanwhile, The People's Daily has announced to publish a special commentary to urge local Party committees to ensure successful elections.

It says local CPC committees face a major task and officials should recognize the significance of the issue.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)