Mongolians on Monday cast their votes in a divisive presidential election that pits traditional politicians against a feng shui master in the resource-rich nation. Mieygombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) is seen as the favorite to win the election. He’s up against Khaltmaa Battulga from the outgoing president’s Democratic Party, which is currently in opposition in parliament. The election has been viewed as a bellwether for popular support for Enkhbold’s MPP, which swept up 65 seats in the 76-seat unicameral parliament in last year’s parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, Sainkhuu Ganbaatar of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party has claimed to represent a third option in the race. Ganbaatar, who ran a feng shui practice for years, is expected to take enough votes from the main two candidates that Mongolia might require its first ever run-off round.
“Ganbaatar is the only one who speaks the voice of the regular people of Mongolia,” said Zundui Gombojav, a 60-year-old unemployed disabled man. For 27 years, we have chosen the two largest parties, but they have done nothing.”
Full Article: Mongolia votes for new president in divisive election | News | DW | 26.06.2017.