1990 Mongolian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Mongolia in 1990. The State Great Khural was elected on 22 June 1990, with a second round on 29 June, at which time the Little Khural, the new second chamber, was also elected.[1]

1990 Mongolian parliamentary election
Mongolian People's Republic
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1992 →
People's Grand Khural
22 June 1990 (first round)
29 June 1990 (second round)

All 430 seats in the People's Grand Khural
216 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Seats +/–
MPRP Gombojavyn Ochirbat 358 +12
Democratic Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj 17 New
MNPP Davaadorjiin Ganbold 6 New
MSDP Bat-Erdeniin Batbayar 4 New
Independents 38 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
State Little Khural
29 June 1990

All 50 seats in the State Little Khural
26 seats needed for a majority
Party Vote % Seats +/–
MPRP

61.26 31 New
Democratic

24.14 13 New
MNPP

5.90 3 New
MSDP

5.48 3 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers before Chairman of the Council of Ministers after
Sharavyn Gungaadorj
MPRP
Sharavyn Gungaadorj
MPRP

Background

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In 1989 the Mongolian People's Republic witnessed a series of demonstrations against the government by the coalition group the Mongolian Democratic Union, a group formed on December 10 of that year by intellectuals under the influence of similar movements in Eastern Europe.[2] Jambyn Batmönkh promised reform to placate the growing demonstrations and met with the MDU leaders, although Dumaagiin Sodnom and other leading Politburo members felt that a gradual five-year plan for reforms could be undertaken.[3] Demonstrations continued however, with Batmönkh announcing his resignation on March 4, followed by the rest of the Politburo eight days later.[3] Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat became chairman of the Hural with Sharavyn Gungaadorj appointed as Prime Minister, although it was agreed that the Hural would meet again in May to discuss constitutional change, making these appointments temporary.[3]

The demonstrations continued, however, (largely as a consequence of the lack of funding and media access for the newly formed opposition parties in contrast to the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party) and the army was used against the demonstrators in April.[4] Meetings were held with the opposition on April 30 and free elections to the Hural were agreed on May 14.[4]

Election campaign

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The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) registered as a political party on May 24 and others followed suit, including the Mongolian Democratic Party, the Mongolian Green Party, the Mongolian National Progress Party and the Mongolian Social Democratic Party.[5] However the MPRP soon took the lead by promising to cancel some debts, lower the cost of heating and provide higher wages for the poor and students. They combined this with the removal of their links to the security forces and army in order to prevent a threatened opposition boycott.[4]

Primary elections were held on June 25 with 2,400 candidates put forward to chase 799 available full candidatures for the Great Hural's 430 seats. Ultimately around 100 opposition candidates advanced, with the system criticized for favouring rural areas where the MPRP were strongest.[4]

Results

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The MPRP took 60% of the vote but won 358 seats (86%), with the opposition only managing 14% of the seats despite winning 40% of the vote. Due to election irregularities, 28 seats were held up.[6] As a consequence of the results, Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat was confirmed as President whilst Dashiin Byambasüren was appointed as Prime Minister. Gonchigdorj, leader of the small Mongolian Social Democrat Party, was appointed Vice president as part of an effort by the MPRP to cooperate with the opposition.[7] Davaadorjiin Ganbold, prominent economist and the leader of the Mongolian National Progress Party was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.[8]

People's Grand Khural

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party358+12
Mongolian Democratic Party17New
Mongolian National Progress Party6New
Mongolian Social Democratic Party4New
Mongolian Green Party0New
Free Labour Party0New
Independents38New
Vacant seats7
Total430+60
Total votes1,005,629
Registered voters/turnout1,027,27797.89
Source: Nohlen et al.

Little Khural

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PartyVotes%Seats
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party598,98461.2631
Mongolian Democratic Party236,08724.1413
Mongolian National Progress Party57,6915.903
Mongolian Social Democratic Party53,5455.483
Mongolian Green Party12,0441.230
Free Labour Party11,8231.210
All candidates deleted7,6380.78
Total977,812100.0050
Valid votes977,81297.23
Invalid/blank votes27,8172.77
Total votes1,005,629100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,027,27797.89
Source: Nohlen et al.

References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p490 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. ^ William R. Heaton, 'Mongolia in 1990 - Upheaval, Reform but No Revolution Yet', Asian Survey, Vol. 31, No. 1, A Survey of Asia in 1990: Part I. (Jan., 1991), p. 50
  3. ^ a b c Heaton, op cit, p. 51
  4. ^ a b c d Heaton, op cit, p. 52
  5. ^ Christian Schafferer, 'The 2004 parliamentary election in Mongolia:Big surprises and small victories' Archived 2008-01-11 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Heaton, op cit, pp. 52-53
  7. ^ Bulag, Uradyn Erden (1998). Nationalism and Hybridity in Mongolia. Clarendon Press. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-0-19-823357-2.
  8. ^ Bulag, Uradyn Erden (1998). Nationalism and Hybridity in Mongolia. Clarendon Press. pp. 87–88. ISBN 978-0-19-823357-2.