Mongolians vote in parliamentary polls amid economic woes
Mongolia holds parliamentary elections on Wednesday, continuing a nearly 30-year democratic system in a vast but lightly populated country sandwiched between authoritarian regimes in Russia and China and beset by economic problems. (AP Photo/Ganbat Namjilsangarav)ULAANBAATAR Mongolians are voting in parliamentary elections at more than 2,000 polling places spread across the vast, lightly populated country between China and Russia. More than 600 candidates are running in 29 constituencies under a system that returns two to three members from each district. Urban areas in the largely rural country are the most hotly contested, with 28 candidates running in one district of Ulaanbaatar. The head of state, President Khaltmaagiin Battulga of the Democratic Party, elected in 2017, is not on the ballot.
Economic concerns high as Mongolia holds national elections
Mongolia holds parliamentary elections on Wednesday, continuing a nearly 30-year democratic system in a vast but lightly populated country sandwiched between authoritarian regimes in Russia and China and beset by economic problems. Mongolia is the second country after South Korea to hold national elections during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 30% of Mongolias people live below the poverty line, and growing income inequality and social injustice are fueling resentment against authorities and major political parties. Both the MPP and the Democratic Party are a running a full slate of candidates. The head of state, President Khaltmaagiin Battulga of the Democratic Party, elected in 2017, is not on the ballot.