Basics of CPC's electoral system

National Congress of the Party

The National Congress of the Party is held once every five years and convened by the Central Committee. It may be convened before the normally scheduled date if the Central Committee deems it necessary or if more than one third of the organizations at the provincial level so request. Except under extraordinary circumstances, the Congress may not be postponed.

The number of delegates to the National Congress of the Party and the procedure governing their election shall be determined by the Central Committee.

The functions and powers of the National Congress of the Party are as follows:

1) To hear and examine the reports of the Central Committee;

2) To hear and examine the reports of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection;

3) To discuss and decide on major questions concerning the Party;

4) To revise the Constitution of the Party;

5) To elect the Central Committee; and

6) To elect the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The powers and functions of the National Conference of the Party are as follows: to discuss and make decisions on major questions; and to replace members and elect additional members of the Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The number of members and alternate members of the Central Committee to be replaced or newly elected shall not exceed one fifth of the respective totals of members and alternate members of the Central Committee elected by the National Congress of the Party.

Local Party congresses

The Party congress of a province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the central government, city divided into districts, autonomous prefecture, county (banner), autonomous county, city not divided into districts, or municipal district is held once every five years.

Local Party congresses are convened by the Party committees at the corresponding levels. Under extraordinary circumstances, they may be held before or after their normally scheduled dates upon approval by the next higher Party committees.

The number of delegates to the local Party congresses at any level and the procedure governing their election are determined by the Party committees at the corresponding levels and should be reported to the next higher Party committees for approval.

The functions and powers of the local Party congresses at all levels are as follows:

1) To hear and examine the reports of the Party committees at the corresponding levels;

2) To hear and examine the reports of the commissions for discipline inspection at the corresponding levels;

3) To discuss and adopt resolutions on major issues in the given areas; and

4) To elect the Party committees and commissions for discipline inspection at the corresponding levels.

The Party committee of a province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the central government, city divided into districts, or autonomous prefecture is elected for a term of five years. The members and alternate members of such a committee must have a Party standing of five years or more.

Conferences of delegates

When necessary, the Central Committee of the Party and the local Party committees at all levels will convene conferences of delegates to discuss and decide on major problems that require timely solution. The number of delegates to such conferences and the procedure governing their election shall be determined by the Party committees convening them.

Electoral system of the Party

The election of delegates to Party congresses and of members of Party committees at all levels should reflect the will of the voters. Elections shall be held by secret ballot. The lists of candidates shall be submitted to the Party organizations and voters for full deliberation and discussion. The election procedure in which the number of candidates nominated is greater than the number of persons to be elected may be used directly in a formal election or this procedure may be used first in a preliminary election in order to draw up a list of candidates for the formal election. The voters have the right to inquire about the candidates, demand a change or reject one in favor of another. No organization or individual shall in any way compel voters to elect or not to elect any candidate.

If any violation of the Party Constitution occurs in the election of delegates to local Party congresses at all levels or to Party congresses at the primary level, the Party committee at the next higher level, after investigation and verification, should decide to declare the election invalid and take appropriate measures. The decision shall be reported to the Party committee at the next higher level for checking and approval before it is formally announced and implemented.

A tenure system is adopted for delegates to Party congresses at all levels.

Electoral procedure of Party congresses

Electoral procedure and role of Party congresses include: the division of electoral units, nominate candidates, introduce candidates, voting provisions，counting methods of election, election and announce the election results. Improving the electoral procedure and working according to the electoral procedures will help prevent confusion during an election and ensure the smooth progress of elections.

Delegates

Delegates has been taken in order to be the best represents of CPC members. The delegates must: abide by and implement the Party constitution; carry out the Party's guidelines and policies; follow major principles of the CPC and socialist core values which mean serving the people, being law-abiding, industrious, honest and upright; set an example at work; and be in close touch with the public and honestly represent their opinions and demands.

Alternate delegates

When the official representative is absent, the alternate delegate fills the vacancy. Alternate delegates participate in Party congresses and have the rights of speech and to be elected during the meeting but do not possess no voting rights.

Special delegates

Special delegates are invited to Party congresses when necessary. They have the same rights as delegates.

Non-voting delegates

Local Party congresses at all levels can set non-voting delegates. The list of recommendations are made by local Party committees, who submit the list for approval to the preparatory meeting of local Party congresses or to the plenary meeting of the Presidium of local Party congresses.