BEIJING - A total of 73 Communist Party of China (CPC) officials were penalized for discipline violations during the 2011 reshuffling of leading officials in local Party committees, according to the party's top disciplinary watchdog.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement on Wednesday that discipline authorities nationwide investigated 52 cases regarding "irregularities" during the reshuffling, which resulted in the punishment of the 73 officials, according to the statement.

Leading officials in CPC committees at the provincial, municipal, county and township levels were reshuffled last year. The CCDI vowed to boost disciplinary measures to ensure that only ethically sound officials would be promoted during the reshuffle.