Constitution changes proposed

A working group on the constitution established by an order of the Speaker has received many suggestions from citizens.

More than 38,800 citizens from the capital and local settlements have sent in their opinions on proposed changes to the constitution, with 20,455 in favor and 18,379 opposed. Some citizens favor changing to a two-chamber parliament. Others favor less radical changes.

Five major changes have been proposed:

An amendment that would allow an MP to work as a member of the Government with no term limit. Also, many politicians believe the main ministries such as Finance, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Justice and Internal Affairs should be headed by MPs.

The amendment would also increase the number of seats in Parliament from 76 to 99, to reflect population growth and broaden discussions on issues such as national security.

The present Constitution states that a member of parliament must be elected by elector-citizens in a free, public, and direct vote by secret balloting. This provision must be changed if proposed changes in the electoral system, such as electing some MPs through a proportional system according to party votes rather than directly, are adopted.

One proposal would allow “Citizens’ Assemblies” in local settlements to approve or reject aimag and local settlement governors appointed by the prime minister, and citizens of soums would elect soum chiefs directly.
There is a proposal to have alleged violations of the Constitution committed by local settlement officials to be heard in Constitution Court. Currently such cases are heard in district, soum, or aimag courts.





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