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

Undoubtedly, the absence of supervision is what helped the notorious gangster, who had been re-educated through labor several times, become an elected deputy to the Ankang people's congress. Law-abiding elections and respect for public opinions, not despicable money-power exchanges, should decide who will represent local residents. More, these elected representatives need to be strictly assessed and supervised. They should receive due punishment if found to be linked to the underworld.

hebnews.cn, July 28

Had local citizens stood together to oppose the flawed local people's congress election, and had the local authorities exercised proper supervision over the election, the gang leader would not have got his way and damaged the credibility of local authorities.

cjn.cn, July 28

A representative of the people in a local people's congress is expected to be a role model who abides by the Constitution, laws and social ethics. It is still a mystery how the Ankang gangster remained "untouchable" even after he sought to violate the laws and assault police.

Beijing Times, July 29