Chinese authorities issued an order on Friday to crack down on various election irregularities prior to the upcoming election of a new term of party committees, people's congresses, governments and political consultative conferences at provincial, city, county and township levels.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Commission jointly issued the order to guarantee an honest and orderly election.

The order says election irregularities, such as winning votes through pulling strings with voters, or bribing key officials who have a say on one's promotion, or manipulating votes by means of threat or deceit, are strictly forbidden.

The order also prohibits officials from favoring candidates who are family members or friends, or disclosing election-related information which might alter the results of elections.

China holds local elections for party committees, people's congresses, governments and political consultative conferences every five years.