The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) will kick off the biennial election of academicians on Jan. 1, 2011.

Xu Rigan, vice president of CAE, said Thursday that CAE would be joined by 60 additional academicians during the new round of elections, which is the same quota as in the 2009 election.

Xu said severe punishments would be meted out to those involved in election fraud, such as falsifying application materials and using influence to get elected.

According to the regulation on election of CAE academicians, colleagues of nominees are allowed to lodge opposition within one month after nominations are announced.

Once fraud is discovered, the election procedure of the nominee will be terminated and he or she will be disqualified from being nominated in the next election.

Xie Kechang, also vice president of CAE, said the election of academicians adhered to the principle of transparency, and basic information of nominees would be made public, subject to public supervision.

The Academician of CAE is the highest academic title in the field of Engineering. Currently there are 748 CAE academicians enjoying this life-long honorary title.