Parliamentary Elections, 28 June 2024

Parliamentary elections were held on the 28 June 2024 (International IDEA n.d.). Mongolia is a semi-presidential state with a president who is Head of State and a unicameral parliament, the State Ikh Khural. In May 2023, an amendment to the Constitution of Mongolia was passed which increased the number of seats in parliament from 76 to 126. A mixed electoral system was introduced, where 78 members are elected by majority vote and the residual 48 by proportional representation. Electoral districts were rearranged and reduced from 29 to 13. June 2024 saw the first election under these new arrangements (Lkhaajav 2023). 

Voting in Mongolia is voluntary (ACE n.d.). Mobile voting is possible for those who cannot access the polling stations due to health reasons, are detained or imprisoned, or otherwise legally prohibited to leave their residence (Mongolia 2012: article 90). Out-of-country voting also operates (Electoral Law Mongolia 2012: article 62). The electoral management body in Mongolia is the General Election Commission, GEC (ACE n.d.). 

The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) observed the electoral process. Observers noted that the electoral campaigns did not provide a level playing field for contestants. Specifically, a series of salary and social benefit increases implemented and campaigned on by the ruling party  were also promoted by state officials. These practices ‘blurred the line between party and state providing an undue advantage to the ruling party (the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP))’ (OSCE 2024a).

News coverage during the electoral process was heavily biased toward the ruling party and lacked investigative reporting. It was noted that this decreased the possibility of voters being able to make an informed decision (OSCE 2024b).

During the campaign period, B. Bayanmunkh, a district party head of the opposition Democratic Party and governor of Sant Sum,  was beaten to death by an agitator of the MPP (24tsag, 2024). Bayanmunkh’s party sought the withdrawal of the MPP’s candidate for the district, but this was not possible according to the GEC, as he was already registered and entered on the ballots (Nyam-Olziy 2024; MalayMail 2024).

A journalist entered the headquarters of the National Alliance on 25 June and during a live broadcast called the police, claiming that the coalition was operating a troll farm together with Chinese agents. A police raid followed the same day. The GEC clarified that such a raid would be prohibited without its authorization, in the absence of evidence of a crime; the police stated they found fake social media accounts used for electoral activities and that only two of the 148 people stationed at the National Alliance office were registered with the GEC (OSCE 2024b).

Progress toward gender balance reflect legal changes in Mongolia requiring a 30 per cent gender quota for all candidates (which was exceeded), proportional lists with gender parity and financial incentives for increased female representation (OSCE 2024b). The constitutional amendments tend in the direction of greater representation; the enlarged legislative branch will play an important role in Mongolia’s governance (Lkhaajav 2024).

Interlocutors from the International Election Observation Mission noted instances of vote-buying. This included the offering of goods or cash to voters during door-to-door campaigning. There were also allegations of parties pressuring civil servants and public employees to conduct activities for the ruling MPP party (OSCE 2024b). 

On election day, a few hours before the polls closed, allegations of malpractice circulated on social media. Both the MPP and the Democratic Party subsequently issued several press releases accusing each other of bribes and spreading fake news (Lkhaajav 2024).

Results of the election showed a victory for the incumbent MPP with 68 out of the 126 seats, a decline as compared to 2020 election where they gained 62 of the then 76 seats (Ghosal and Moritsugu 2024). Voter turnout was 69.8 per cent, a 3.8 per cent decrease compared to the last election (73.6 per cent). There was an increase in female lawmakers elected to the National Assembly, from 17.1 per cent of members in 2020 to 25 per cent in 2024 (International IDEA n.d.), although women’s representation in senior positions and campaign messages remains low (OSCE 2024b).