The central committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) affirmed its resolve to curb corruption in government in the wake of an election-related bribery scandal in Hengyang by issuing an anti-corruption guideline and pushing for harsher punishment for erring party members.
In a recent official statement, the party stressed its commitment to fight corruption and maintain the trust of the people in the nation's political system.
The Hunan provincial legislature admitted on Dec. 28 that 56 of its deputies to the provincial people’s congress were involved in bribing 518 solons of Hengyang municipal people’s congress and 68 of its personnel. The bribe money amounted to 110 million yuan or approximately U.S. $18 million.
According to a commentary published in the People’s Daily, the number of people and the amount of money involved in the election fraud is alarmingly large, making it one of the worst cases of election-related violations. The commentary added that it would be necessary to handle the case based on the laws and disciplinary rules of the party and that firm action must be taken to maintain the trust and confidence of the people on the fundamental political system of the country.
The bribery scandal in Hengyang legislature is a case of neglect and abuse. Some officials in the province have ignored Party discipline and national statutes. The involved deputies were able to garner votes through bribery and they themselves have received bribes.
During a plenary meeting, the provincial congress has formally disqualified the 56 deputies involved in the bribery scandal. The legislative body of Hengyang City has also accepted the resignations of the 512 county-level lawmakers who accepted bribe from the deputies.