Risers and fallers in Central Committee voting

The former chief of staff of outgoing President Hu Jintao managed to secure a seat on the Communist Party's Central Committee yesterday despite the scandal over the cover-up of his son's death at the wheel of a Ferrari in a crash in March.

Delegates to the 18th party congress chose Ling Jihua as one 205 members of the party's general ruling body. However, 94 delegates voted against his re-election, showing that not everyone supports a man who was once one of the president's closest aides.

Ling, 56, had been seen as a contender for elevation to the Politburo. But he was dealt a severe personal and political blow when his son died in the fiery Beijing car crash that left two young women badly injured.

Ling's connection to the crash went unconfirmed for months, fuelling accusations of a cover-up. In September, Ling was transferred to lead United Front Work Department, a less powerful position expected to deprive him of a Politburo seat.

"The number of 'no' votes for Ling is comparatively high," said Chen Jiping , a delegate and the party secretary of the China Law Society. "I have heard of the scandal about Ling, but I think it is a rumour that I cannot believe."

Analysts agree Ling is unlikely to rise any further than the Central Committee, although the position may protect him from future inquiries.