The government of Queshan County in Henan Province recently released a document stating that in order to run for the position of village secretary this year, candidates must have “family background and influence” as well as “economic foundation”. This document has sparked online attention and has since been taken down.
On September 2nd, a netizen revealed that an article was published on the official website of Queshan County government in Zhumadian City, Henan, stating, “To run for the position of village secretary, one must have family background and influence, and at the same time, economic foundation is an important guarantee for running for this position.”
On the morning of September 3rd, a reporter from Da Wan News saw this article on the official website of Queshan County government. The article was published on May 6, 2024, mentioning the requirements to stand out in rural elections and become a village secretary.
Firstly, family background and influence are indispensable elements, not only because of the reputation and status of the family, but also because with numerous family members, they can form an undeniable force in the village. Secondly, having an economic foundation is an important guarantee for running for the position of village secretary. In rural areas, economic strength often determines one’s influence, as having money provides the confidence to run for the position.
During an interview with a staff member in Liu Zhuang Town, a reporter from Ji Mu News was told that for someone running for the position of village secretary, they must have influence and their words must be listened to, adding that “people in financial difficulty are not suitable for this role”.
This article quickly sparked discussions online.
Video blogger and Weibo influencer “FinancialInsight” commented, “To run for the position of village secretary, one needs family background and economic foundation. This slip of truth inadvertently reflects the reality of rural areas.”
Netizens also remarked, “Being able to speak the truth is commendable,” “Nowadays, in village cadre elections, village officials buy votes in advance,” and “Having a family background and economic strength equates to having connections and support. Such people become village bullies once in office.”
“People with influence have their own interest groups. Otherwise, they would not have influence. When dealing with matters through interest groups, fairness is not possible. Legal disputes should be settled by law, allowing village secretaries to intervene in mediation results in favoring the powerful and oppressing the farmers who only know how to farm and work.”
“This village official is only considering the benefits, without thinking about the drawbacks! Just take my village as an example. The Zhang family is a prominent one, while others have different surnames. The agricultural subsidies from the government all go to the Zhang family, while others with different surnames receive nothing. Those who own two or three-wheeled vehicles and sedans at home are on welfare. What about the others?”
“If you carefully examine the official requirements, one crucial aspect is missing. Isn’t it immoral? What can a morally deficient village official bring to the villagers?”