Li Liguo, former minister of civil affairs and Dou Yupei, former vice minister of civil affairs, are being held accountable for poor Party governance and negligence, the discipline arm of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said Wednesday.

Investigation found that Li and Dou failed to fulfill their duties in strict governance of the CPC, and found systemic corruption in their ministry, according to a statement by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Based on intra-Party regulations on accountablity and disciplinary penalties as well as Li's violations of Party discipline, Li faced punishment, including being placed on probation in the Party for two years and demotion, according to the statement, adding that Li will not serve as a delegate to the Party's 18th National Congress.

Dou received a serious intra-Party warning, no longer holds the position of delegate to the Party's 18th National Congress and will retire early.

The CCDI announced that Li and Dou had been put under investigation in early January.