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Election Date: June 27, 2004

At stake: State Great Hural

Background

For 70 years, modern-day Mongolia functioned as a one-party state. In 1990, a series of public demonstrations led to the resignation of the Soviet-inspired government. A new constitution was introduced in 1992, which allowed democratic elections for the first time. The communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) remained as the most popular political organization, with 71 lawmakers in the 76-seat legislative branch.

In 1993, Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat—a former communist who ran as the candidate for the democratic opposition—was elected in the first multi-party presidential ballot. In 1996, the Mongolian National Democratic Party (MNDP) formed a government after winning 50 seats in the State Great Hural, but members of the communist MPRP were able to stall legislation by denying a quorum.

In 1997, MPRP chairman Natsagiyn Bagabandi won the presidential vote, eventually earning a new four-year term in 2001 with 57.9 per cent of all cast ballots. The communists regained control of the State Great Hural in 2000, electing 72 lawmakers. Nambaryn Enkhbayar was then appointed as prime minister.

Mongolia relies heavily on bilateral trade with Russia and China. In the past few years, the country has tried to expand its ties with foreign entities, most notably Japan, the United States and the European Union (EU).

2004 State Great Hural Election

For the 2004 ballot, the ruling MPRP re-nominated 44 of its current parliamentarians, while all four opposition lawmakers also stood for re-election.

The opposition came together under the banner of the Motherland Democratic Coalition (MDC), which includes members of three different political organizations: the Mongolian Democratic Party (MDP), the Mongolian New Democratic Socialist Party (MNDSP) and the Civil Will Republican Party (CWRP). The coalition agreed on the final distribution of candidates, giving the MDP 50 nominees, 21 to the MNDSP and five to the CWRP.

A third group—the New Choice Coalition (NCC)—comprises the Republican Party (RP), the Mongolian United Party (MUP), the Mongolian National Coalition United Party (MNCUP), the Mongolian Liberal Party (MLP) and the Mongolian Traditional United Party (MTUP).

Former prime minister Rinchinnyamiyn Amarjargal ran as an independent. The Mongolian Green Party (MGP) announced a loose alliance with the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).

According to existing regulations, state television must concede free airtime for promotional purposes to every political party and independent candidate in Mongolia. Each organization and non-partisan nominee was allowed to broadcast 20 minutes per week, plus seven minutes on the final day of the electoral campaign.

The Mongolian government set aside around $6.06 million U.S. for election-related expenses, including voting cards, ballots and the salary of officials. Members of the opposition expressed their disappointment after several members of the General Election Commission were replaced in May. After the shuffle, the Commission only included members of the ruling MPRP.

On Jun. 27, Mongolian voters renewed the State Great Hural. Preliminary reports hinted at a better showing from opposition parties than originally expected. Former finance minister Puntsagiin Tsagaan claimed that the MDC could win as many as 38 seats. The ruling MPRP hinted at possible irregularities such as people voting outside their established constituencies and vote-buying.

Turnout was tabled at 77 per cent according to initial reports.

Preliminary official results were released by the General Election Commission on Jun. 28, giving both the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) and the Motherland Democratic Coalition (MDC) 36 seats in the State Great Hural, with the Republican Party—part of the New Choice Coalition (NCC)—winning one, and independents getting the remaining three.

As discussions began on who would form the next government, the General Election Commission ordered a new election in two closely contested districts—originally claimed by the MDC—for Jul. 3. The determination angered opposition parties, and the ballot was eventually postponed following a court decision. The tribunal has 30 days to make a final ruling.

On Jun. 30, members of opposition parties stormed a broadcasting facility to complain that they were not given equal time to promote their candidates during the campaign. Both the MPRP and MDC have traded fraud allegations.

On Jul. 16, the court cited evidence of fraud in Ulan Bator's polling station number 18, and ordered an immediate re-vote. On Jul. 17, citizens of that particular constituency headed to the polls once again.

General Election Commission member Radnaagiin Burmaa said the body was not officially informed of the new ballot. John Poepsel, a representative of the United States-based International Republican Institute, disputed "the legitimacy of holding an election for 5,000 voters with 12 hours notice."

The first tallies from the re-vote gave defence minister Gerragchaa Cosmos of the MPRP 1,770 votes, with 526 ballots going to MDC candidate Sampil Otgonbayar. In the Jun. 27 election, Otgonbayar had claimed victory by just 88 votes.

With Cosmos, the ruling MPRP has 37 seats in the State Great Hural. Parties or coalitions require the backing of 39 lawmakers to establish a government.

On Aug. 13, both rival factions signed a letter of intent and agreed on a power-sharing deal. Outgoing prime minister Nambaryn Enkhbayar was nominated as speaker of the Great State Hural. Cabinet posts were equally split between the MDC and the MPRP.

On Aug. 20, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of the MDC officially became the country's prime minister. Elbegdorj served as head of government for a brief period in 1998.

Political Players

President: Natsagiyn Bagabandi - MPRP
Prime minister: Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj - MDC

The president is elected to a four-year term by the popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Ulsyn Ikh-Khural (State Great Hural) has 76 members, elected to four-year terms in single-seat constituencies.

Results of Last Election:

President - May 20, 2001

State Great Hural - Jun. 27, 2004
(Official results after Jul. 17 re-vote)

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