Bagabandi Wins 2nd Term as Mongolia's PresidentPresident Natsagiin Bagabandi was reelected for a second four-year term in Sunday's presidential election, the head of the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) said Monday.Nambaryn Enhbayar said Bagabandi, 51, garnered more than 55% of the ballots cast. The election control committee has not announced the final voting tallies but Bagabandi's main rival, former parliamentary speaker Radnaasumbereliin Gonchigdorj, 47, conceded defeat earlier Monday. MPRP officials projected Bagabandi's final voting tally would come close to 60% in the end. It was the third direct presidential election since 1990. Worsening economic problems plaguing the country dominated the election. Mongolia has been hit by two harsh winters in a row, resulting in the deaths of millions of livestock, joblessness and widespread poverty. The MPRP scored an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections in July last year, returning the former communists to power after four years in opposition. During the election campaign, Bagabandi called for ''stability of the state,'' while Gonchigdorj campaigned for ''a balanced state.'' The third presidential candidate was Luvsandambiin Dashnyam, 58, of the Civil Courage Party. |
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