Mongolian presidential election, 2009
Encyclopedia
Presidential elections were held in Mongolia
on 24 May 2009. It was contested between incumbent Nambaryn Enkhbayar
, supported by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
, and Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who had support of the Democratic Party
and the opposition parties. Elbegdorj declared himself the victor before the count was official but based on his party's counts. Enkhbayar admitted a narrow defeat shortly after and said that he would respect the result. The election was the first in Mongolian history where an incumbent president failed to win reelection.
(MPRP), Democratic Party
, Civic Will Party and Mongolian Green Party
. The MPRP fielded the incumbent president Nambaryn Enkhbayar
as its presidential candidate. The Democratic Party chose former prime minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj as their candidate. The Civic Will and Green parties did not field a candidate and instead chose to support Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the Democratic Party's candidate, thus providing the electorate with a choice between the incumbent or a candidate supported by all of the opposition parties.
Elbegdorj, who served twice as prime minister, campaigned on a theme of anti-corruption and a need for change which proved popular in urban areas. Both candidates' campaigns were dominated by the issue of how Mongolia's mineral wealth should be distributed.
There had been fears that a close result could lead to civil unrest as happened in the 2008 legislative election
. Allegations of vote rigging had sparked street protests and clashes with the police during which five people lost their lives and hundreds were injured. However this year's poll appears not to have been as controversial, however police and army units are on stand-by if needed to contain any protests.
Official results with all votes counted gave Elbegdorj 51.21% (562,718 votes) to Enkhbayar's 47.41% (520,948 votes); turnout was 73.59%.
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
on 24 May 2009. It was contested between incumbent Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Nambaryn Enkhbayar is a Mongolian political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Mongolia from 2000 to 2004, the Speaker of Parliament from 2004 to 2005, and the President of Mongolia from 2005 to 2009...
, supported by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
The Mongolian People's Party formerly the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party is an ex-communist political party in Mongolia. The party is abbreviated MPP in English and ' in Mongolian...
, and Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who had support of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Mongolia)
The Democratic Party is a conservative liberal and libertarian political party in Mongolia. Its primary goals are the continued transformation of Mongolia into an open and democratic society.- History :...
and the opposition parties. Elbegdorj declared himself the victor before the count was official but based on his party's counts. Enkhbayar admitted a narrow defeat shortly after and said that he would respect the result. The election was the first in Mongolian history where an incumbent president failed to win reelection.
Candidates
Presidential candidates were only allowed from parties which had representation in the State Great Khural. The eligible parties were the Mongolian People's Revolutionary PartyMongolian People's Revolutionary Party
The Mongolian People's Party formerly the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party is an ex-communist political party in Mongolia. The party is abbreviated MPP in English and ' in Mongolian...
(MPRP), Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Mongolia)
The Democratic Party is a conservative liberal and libertarian political party in Mongolia. Its primary goals are the continued transformation of Mongolia into an open and democratic society.- History :...
, Civic Will Party and Mongolian Green Party
Mongolian Green Party
The Mongolian Green Party was founded in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy, becoming the first Green party founded in Asia...
. The MPRP fielded the incumbent president Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Nambaryn Enkhbayar is a Mongolian political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Mongolia from 2000 to 2004, the Speaker of Parliament from 2004 to 2005, and the President of Mongolia from 2005 to 2009...
as its presidential candidate. The Democratic Party chose former prime minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj as their candidate. The Civic Will and Green parties did not field a candidate and instead chose to support Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the Democratic Party's candidate, thus providing the electorate with a choice between the incumbent or a candidate supported by all of the opposition parties.
Elbegdorj, who served twice as prime minister, campaigned on a theme of anti-corruption and a need for change which proved popular in urban areas. Both candidates' campaigns were dominated by the issue of how Mongolia's mineral wealth should be distributed.
Results
Official results are not yet known but an incomplete count gives Elbegdorj 53.7% of the vote, with results from some far-flung areas not known. Elbegdorj claimed victory earlier, based on his party's own tally of the votes. Several hours later Enkhbayar, the incumbent president, admitted that he had suffered a narrow defeat and stated that he would respect the result.There had been fears that a close result could lead to civil unrest as happened in the 2008 legislative election
Mongolian legislative election, 2008
A legislative election in Mongolia was held on June 29, 2008. A total of 356 candidates were running for 76 seats in the State Great Khural. According to official results published on July 14, at least 39 seats went to the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party , and at least 25 seats went...
. Allegations of vote rigging had sparked street protests and clashes with the police during which five people lost their lives and hundreds were injured. However this year's poll appears not to have been as controversial, however police and army units are on stand-by if needed to contain any protests.
Official results with all votes counted gave Elbegdorj 51.21% (562,718 votes) to Enkhbayar's 47.41% (520,948 votes); turnout was 73.59%.