BEIJING -- The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has issued operation rules to ensure fair and clean reshuffles in local legislatures and governments, according to a statement released by the department on Tuesday.

The CPC internal elections at the provincial, city, county and township levels, which concluded in July, have proved transparent and democratic, and the sound atmosphere should be continued in the reshuffles in local legislatures, governments and political advisory bodies in order to guarantee a smooth and healthy transfer of power, according to the statement.

The reshuffles should adhere to a string of rules that ban improper practices, according to the statement.

Those who "purchase" or "sell" official positions by giving or taking bribes or canvass voters through improper means will be punished without leniency, the statement said.

Special teams will be sent by the department and the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to supervise elections nationwide.

The public can inform the department of any problems during the reshuffles by dialing a hotline or by logging onto the department's website.