Violent Protests Follow Alleged Rigging of Mongolian Election
By Rosalind Elphick
July 2, 2008 | Printer Friendly

The president of Mongolia has declared a four-day state of emergency following violent protests over claims that the general election was rigged, according to a report by the BBC.

The elections were hotly contested as they focused on the sensitive issue of how to share the country's new-found mineral wealth. The two main political parties, the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) and the opposition Democratic Party, disagree on how these mineral reserves should be tapped in the future.  Public opposition to government deals permitting significant foreign investment in major mining projects led political analysts to predict that the ruling party was likely to lose power to the Democratic Party in the election.

The vote was held on Sunday, June 29. When the polls closed, the General Election Committee said that voter turnout was high. Their most recent figures reveal that 74% of registered voters came to the polls to cast their ballot. No major problems were reported at any of the polling stations. Both the MPRP and international observers say the polls were free and fair, according to BBC reports.

The Election Committee has yet to announce the final result of the vote, but preliminary results give the MPRP a clear victory, suggesting that the ruling MPRP has claimed at least 56% of the seats in Parliament. Reuters reports that Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the opposition party leader, earlier said the Democrats had been "robbed of victory…People voted for democracy, ask eight of 10 people and they will say they voted for the Democratic Party. If most people voted for us why did we lose? We lost because... corrupt people changed the results," he told reporters.

Rioters massed outside the headquarters of the governing party, the former Communists. Prime Minister Sanjagiin Bayar made a national announcement from inside the building, acknowledging the protesters' complaints over results but appealing for restraint.  "The other party (the Democrats) is accusing us of buying the election. It's not true," he said, his comments broadcast on Eagle Television. Bayar accused Elbegdorj of being responsible for the unrest by making false statements to mislead people and incite violence.

Unappeased, the crowd later became violent, torching the MPRP’s HQ and the Cultural Palace, as well as attacking a police station. Over 300 people, mostly policemen, were injured. BBC reports that Justice Minister Munkhorgil announced 5 fatalities and, according to Reuters, about 700 protesters were detained in the unrest. A state of emergency, announced in a decree from the President, came into effect late on Tuesday the 30th June.

The Mongolia News website reports that Enkhbayar promises an investigation into "any irregularities during the election."  Members of the opposition Democratic Party disavowed the violence and expressed hopes of a meeting with the MPRP to resolve the situation. "From the Sea of Japan to the eastern border of Europe, we are the only functioning democracy and we have a duty to save it," Democratic Party leader Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj told Reuters.

Sources:

Reuters: What’s at stake in Mongolia turmoil?

Economist: Mongolia votes

BBC News: Mongolia votes in key elections

BBC News: Mongolian State of Emergency

Time: Mongolia Calms After Protests

BBC News: Fatal clashes in Mongolia capital