Mongolian presidential election, 2009
The presidential election in Mongolia in 2009 took place on 24 May of the year.
Candidates
When selecting only candidates were admitted, which were set up by one of the represented in the Great State Khural parties. These were the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party ( MPRP ), the Democratic Party, the party of the citizens will and the Mongolian Green Party. Only two candidates competed for election: the incumbent Nambaryn Enkhbayar of the ruling MPRP and the former Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of the opposition Democratic Party, which was also supported by the other two opposition parties represented in Parliament.
Mood before the election
The mood in Mongolia was marked in advance of the election of the impact of the international economic crisis. The resource revenues, which are of great importance for the economy of Mongolia, were greatly diminished in recent months due to rapidly declining world market prices. The country was, however, before the conclusion of an important agreement with foreign investors (including Rio Tinto Group) for the development of copper, gold and coal mines Ojuu Tolgoi and Owoot Tolgoi in the Gobi desert. The Parliament had postponed the discussions on the agreement because of the election campaign.
Fearing unrest, as they had taken place in the parliamentary elections last year, the government made extensive safety precautions. Thus, the sale of alcoholic beverages was banned for the election day. All public events in the capital Ulan Bator were canceled. The media were called upon not to report on unconfirmed allegations of forgery. The conduct of exit polls was prohibited.
It was expected a tight election. Incumbent Nambaryn Enkhbayar especially enjoyed the support of living of livestock rural population. This hoped for financial support or a share of the revenue from commodity exports. The city population majority of whom the opposition candidate Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. Many townspeople were hoping for a political renewal of a detachment Enchbajars. Meanwhile MPRP, the former state party of the Mongolian People's Republic dominated even after the democratic changes in the policy of Mongolia. Elbegdorj announced consistent action against corruption. Critics accused him of populism and reservations against foreign investors and feared if he wins a negative impact on in the Gobi Desert planned with the help of international companies mining project.
Ballot
Polling stations opened at 7:00 and closed at 22.00 clock clock local time. Around 18:00 clock almost 50 % of voters had already cast their vote. With a turnout below 50% a repeat of the election would have been necessary.
Result
Even before the electoral commission announced the official results of the ballot, the opposition stated on the basis of reported interim results of their candidate the winner. The ruling MPRP and its candidate accepted the defeat. Enkhbayar won as expected in the rural areas, where he joined just over 50 % of the votes. In the capital, Ulan Bator, however Enkhbayar remained good 43 % of the vote well below the 50 percent mark. Elbegdorj challenger took on the country, although only slightly more than 48 % of the vote, but won by a clear majority in the capital, where about a third of the Mongolian population.