PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has vowed tough action against ethical breaches, including corruption, in the party polls due next year.

"Ethical conduct of the election and candidates will be more strictly and closely observed.

"Anyone who breaches the principles of our struggle or is involved in corrupt practices and threats will be disqualified from candidacy," she said in her opening speech at the special PKR congress in Shah Alam today.

Wan Azizah conceded that the party's 2010 election where members were allowed a direct vote for the first time was plagued by "weaknesses".

"In the next election, the election committee will comprise of people experienced in election strategy, logistics, data management, security and most importantly, who are officers with integrity, trustworthiness and are responsible," she said.

The congress today was specially convened to address several amendments to the party constitution to decentralise the party as well as other changes.

The 2009 party election was plagued by accusations of vote-buying and extortion, on top of technical difficulties.

Wan Azizah said that the election had taught lessons to the leadership and the party had conducted training for all its members to practice matured and ethical politics.

In her speech, she also announced a series of amendments to the party constitution that will be voted on later today, including incorporating the equal treatment of Sabah and Sarawak.

The amendments also include better recognition for women, including mandating a 30 percent participation of women in the party’s decision-making process.