STORY: Mongolian president votes in parliamentary elections, urging public to participate actively in voting
SHOOTING TIME: June 28, 2024
DATELINE: June 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:15
LOCATION: Ulan Bator
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh casting his vote
2. SOUNDBITE (Mongolian): UKHNAA KHURELSUKH, Mongolian President
3. various of Mongolians casting their votes

STORYLINE:

Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh cast his vote in the regular parliamentary elections in Ulan Bator on Friday, emphasizing the importance of active voter participation.

SOUNDBITE (Mongolian): UKHNAA KHURELSUKH, Mongolian President
"Establishing a parliament requires everyone's efforts. Therefore, it is important not to neglect voting in the parliamentary elections."
   
The voter turnout in the elections of the State Great Khural, the country's parliament, amounted to over 20 percent by 11:40 a.m. local time on Friday, according to the General Election Commission (GEC).
  
Mongolian people are participating in their ninth parliamentary elections since the first one held in 1992, the president said, adding that the elections feature the largest number of participating parties, coalitions, and independent candidates to date.
   
A total of 1,341 candidates from 19 political parties and two coalitions, as well as 42 independents, are competing for 126 seats in the parliamentary elections, said the GEC.
   
According to the Commission, Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, has 2,063,924 eligible voters registered this year. Voters can cast their ballots at 2,198 polling stations across nine districts of the national capital Ulan Bator and all 21 provinces of the country, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
   
In May 2023, the State Great Khural passed amendments increasing the number of legislators from 76 to 126.
   
The elections are being conducted under a mixed electoral system, with 78 legislators elected through majority representation and 48 through proportional representation, according to the GEC.
   
The Asian country's parliament operates under a unicameral system with a four-year term.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ulan Bator.
(XHTV)