[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ELECTIONS IN MONGOLIA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am concerned by reports from Mongolia 
of alleged election irregularities following a July 17th revote at a 
certain polling station in the capital city of Ulaan Baatar.
  According to observers on the ground, the revote occurred less than 
12 hours after it was announced at 8 p.m. on July 16th. While I do not 
know the nocturnal habits of the Mongolian people, I doubt that voters 
in Ulaan Baatar--or anywhere else in Mongolia, for that matter--can be 
fully and adequately informed of the revote in such a short time.
  Field reports seem to bear this out. According to the International 
Republican Institute, turnout at that polling station in the June 27th 
elections exceeded 70 percent; on the July 17th revote, it totaled some 
46 percent. Nearly one-quarter of those who voted in June did not cast 
a ballot in July.
  Further troubling are allegations of a systematic pattern of denying 
supporters of the Motherland Democracy Coalition, MDC, the right to 
vote, refusal to permit MDC observers inside the polling station, the 
use of Mongolian law enforcement officials to prohibit access to the 
polling station, and vote buying in favor of the ruling Mongolian 
People's Revolutionary Party, MPRP.
  If proven true, these irregularities would mark a major departure 
from Mongolia's previous election experiences, where voting was 
generally orderly and according to applicable laws and regulations.
  My colleagues might find it interesting that the seat in question was 
won in the first round of balloting by MDC candidate and businessman 
Otganbayer by a 222 vote margin. The revote found MPRP Defense Minister 
Gurragchaa winning the seat by 1,239 votes.
  There is no question that reports of irregularities and chicanery 
must be fully and impartially investigated by the relevant election 
authorities, and that any and all violators of election laws and 
regulations be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of 
Mongolian law. It is my hope that this process is more transparent than 
the counting of ballots at that particular polling station. It is 
outrageous that MPRP officials prohibited independent election 
observers to witness the opening of ballot boxes and the counting of 
ballots--in violation, I understand, of Mongolian law.
  Mongolia's leadership would be wise to consider that the country's 
reputation--and inclusion as an eligible recipient for increased 
foreign assistance under the Millennium Challenge Corporation--is at 
stake. Any government that is formed that does not reflect the real 
will of the Mongolian people will lack credibility and the respect of 
the international community.
  Ulaan Baatar should take note that Washington--and the world--is 
watching.

                          ____________________