BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the People's Daily, is calling on Party organizations to enhance Party democracy in the election of delegates to the 17th CPC national congress.

    Party organizations at various levels are urged to respect and safeguard the democratic rights of more than 70 million Party members in the election process, which has already begun and will end by June next year, said a commentary to be carried by Saturday's People's Daily.

    The article said only a democratic process can ensure that the right individuals are elected to represent the public's wishes and interests at the Party's 17th National Congress, which will be held in Beijing in the second half of 2007.

    A total of 2,220 delegates will be elected by 38 electoral units across the country to attend the 17th National Congress, 100more than the 16th congress which was held in November 2002.

    The delegates must include not only Party leaders at all levels, but also Party members in various sectors.

    The CPC Central Committee has issued a circular on the election of delegates, which defines clearly the division of electoral units, the required qualifications of candidates and election procedures.