The candidate of the ex-communist MPR has won Mongolia’s presidency, garnering over 50% of the vote and thus avoiding a runoff election.

A former Communist prime minister of Mongolia has won Sunday’s presidential election, state media say.

Nambaryn Enkhbayar beat three other contenders by polling more than 50% of the vote and thus avoiding the need for a run-off, Mongol Radio reported.

The official results are expected later on Monday, but Mr Enkhbayar said his main rival had already conceded defeat.

Before the poll, there were rallies for a more transparent electoral system in the capital, Ulan Bator.

Protesters also demonstrated against alleged corruption.

International observers who visited polling stations on Sunday did not report any irregularities.
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Turnout in the presidential election was reported to be high.

Mr Enkhbayar of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPR) was an undisputed favourite to get the largely ceremonial job.

He said on Monday that his main rival Mendsaikhanii Enkhaikhan of the Democratic Party called him to congratulate with the victory.

“He suggested that we work together. I replied that I am really looking forward to working together with all the contenders,” Mr Enkhbayar was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

“Mongolia is such a small country, we need people to work together,” he said.

However, some analysts say that Mr Enkhbayar’s victory could affect an uneasy power-sharing arrangement reached between the MPRP and the democrats.

The poll came less than a year after last June’s bitterly disputed parliamentary elections.

The presidential position, like in many countries, is more ceremonial in Mongolia than anything. I’m not sure exactly how it will factor into the relationship with the democratic parties, but with the anti-corruption and forward outlook of the people right now, I assume that it would be a mistake to rupture relations between the parties. Most important of all is that there was no premeditation of violence from either side, and the elections proceeded with normality. You can see yesterday’s post here.