With the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) approaching, Party members all over the country are busy electing representatives for the congress. Having laid great emphasis on the election, the CPC Central Committee has made clear its requirements of members, namely abiding by the Party's charter, following the guide so as to democratically elect competent representatives who are not only politically excellent, but also widely represent the members that elected them.

Of all the requirements, abiding by the Party's charter is the central, as well as the most important. As the governing principle of the CPC, the charter clearly outlines the political and organizational principles that the whole Party must follow in their daily activities.

The charter defines the rights and responsibilities of the National Congress of the Party, and sets its term of power, thus honoring the electors and the elected with a glorious and solemn mission. The Party members must strictly follow the charter, and participate in the election enthusiastically under the principle of democratic centralism, and elect those who meet the central authorities' requirements and are supported by the mass members. That is an essential prerequisite for the success of the election.

That requires the Party members strictly follow the charter in the whole process of the election, and do everything under its guidance. Especially the organizers of the election must make clear investigations into the qualities of the representatives, to see whether they can follow the charter, watch themselves strictly, execute the Party's policy fully and keep strict uniformity with the CPC Central Committee.

The organizers should also see whether the elected representatives share the values and beliefs of the Party, take the leading role in their daily jobs, exercise their rights in an expected way and are loyal to their responsibilities as Party members. The election must proceed in strict accordance with the charter and combine the people's willingness with guidance of leaders in delicately electing the politically and morally best members of the Party for the coming congress.

So all organizational units of the Party must strengthen the sense of respecting the charter, follow its guidance, and direct all Party members to learn, follow, implement and defend the charter, exercise their rights and carry out obligations according to its requirements. They should also make good use of the election as an opportunity to direct all Party members in rechecking their behavior with the charter, deepen their understanding of the document, and take a better lead in their daily jobs.

In other words, by strictly obeying the charter and directing Party members to obey the charter, the various Party units that organize the election should turn it into a process of learning and self-checking for the members, to better teach them about how to be a good and loyal member of the Party.

Only in this way can the Party better enhance the achievements of the past movements of the Party, as well as more deeply instill the scientific outlook on development into the members' hearts.

This is a translation of a commentary by People's Daily on Dec 20.

(China Daily 12/22/2011 page8)