Since the mid-1990s the party has sought to improve the ranks of the leadership bodies and increase transparency in the app ointment process without giving up control over the outcomes. this effort suffuses the regulations on the promotion and employment of leadership cadres in the party and government published on july 23, 2002. the regulations posit requirements in terms of educational level, training, and prior work experience for various types of positions and endorse the idea that officials should move up the system one step at a time. they encourage nomination of more candidates than slots available and provide for extensive consultations and even balloting among those in the unit for which leaders are being chosen. but exceptions are allowed for virtually every rule ;for example,article 17 stipulates, "democratic nominations should be considered one of the important bases for deciding whom to select for closer examination,but simply relying on ballots to select people should be prevented.