ULAN BATOR, Jun 28 (NNN-APA) – Mongolian President, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, cast his vote in the regular parliamentary elections here today, emphasising the importance of active voter participation.
“Establishing a parliament requires everyone’s efforts. Therefore, it is important not to neglect voting in the parliamentary elections,” Khurelsukh told media, after casting his vote, urging citizens to actively go cast their votes.
The voter turnout in the elections of the State Great Khural, the country’s parliament, amounted to over 20 percent by 11:40 a.m. local time today, according to the General Election Commission (GEC).
Mongolians are participating in their ninth parliamentary elections since the first one, held in 1992, the president said, adding that, the elections feature a largest number of participating parties, coalitions, and independent candidates to date.
A total of 1,341 candidates from 19 political parties and two coalitions, as well as, 42 independents, are competing 126 seats in the parliamentary elections, said the GEC.
The commission revised that Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, has 2,063,924 eligible voters registered this year. Voters can cast their ballots at 2,198 polling stations across nine districts of the national capital Ulan Bator, and all 21 provinces of the country, from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. local time.
In May last year, the State Great Khural passed amendments, increasing the number of legislators from 76 to 126.
The elections are being conducted under a mixed electoral system, with 78 legislators elected through majority representation and 48 through proportional representation, according to the GEC.
The country’s parliament operates under a unicameral system with a four-year term.– NNN-APA
