Gang chief's rise reveals election loopholes

A 34-year-old man who was elected as a deputy to the local people's congress, or local legislature, in Hanbin district of Ankang, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, in 2011, has turned out to be a gang leader involved in the local underworld. He even had a criminal record for assaulting the police before he became a representative of the "local people". Comments:

Given the growing public awareness of political rights in China, the National People's Congress and the local people's congresses will be playing a more important role in the country's political system. It is thus vital to select eligible and competent deputies in transparent and just elections. Voters are entitled to know the police records of potential representatives, so they can avoid voting for lawbreaking and unethical ones who only care about their own interests.

Legal Daily, July 29