Z.Enkhbold: Simultaneous elections would save money
The DP caucus has proposed a draft law to hold this year’s parliamentary and local settlement elections on the same day.
MP Z.Enkhbold answered our correspondent’s questions about holding the two elections at the same time.
Q: Parliament previously decided to hold the two elections at the same time. Is that decision still valid?
A: Parliament ratified a law to simultaneously run the two elections in April 2008. But a group of 11 MPs headed by D.Lundeejantsan submitted a draft law on February 3 to hold the two elections separately.
Q: But you have submitted a draft law to run the two elections simultaneously. What about that?
A: Yes, I have submitted a draft law to run the two elections simultaneously but the Government has not decided the matter yet.
Q: Why should the two elections be held simultaneously, in your opinion?
A: There are many reasons, including economizing expenditures, paperwork, and monitoring. The state would save money. Also, voters could vote at one time instead of two times. Ballots could be printed listing both candidates for Parliament and candidates for managing officials in local settlements. But the MPP is not in favor of running the two elections at the same time.
Q: There will be nominated from 600 to 700 candidates for the parliamentary election and 20,000 candidates for the local settlement election. How difficult would it be to hold the two elections on the same day?
A: The current number of officials on Civil Representatives Assemblies is 10,000. The MPP and DP have already nominated their candidates for the assemblies. Other political parties have not nominated their candidates yet. That is why there would not be difficulties simultaneously holding the two elections.
Q: What is the structure for the local settlement election?
A: There is a majority system in large districts and my draft law would not change that structure. Votes would be counted by machines and the General Authority for State Registration would register voters’ names. Campaign rules are similar, and if a candidate promises to give cash, he or she will be held accountable. State officials must resign six months before the election. These provisions will be enforced in the local settlement election. There is a different provision that candidates of soum civil representatives’ assemblies will be registered in soum khoroos. It will not be difficult to simultaneously run the two elections and there will be much savings.
MP Z.Enkhbold answered our correspondent’s questions about holding the two elections at the same time.
Q: Parliament previously decided to hold the two elections at the same time. Is that decision still valid?
A: Parliament ratified a law to simultaneously run the two elections in April 2008. But a group of 11 MPs headed by D.Lundeejantsan submitted a draft law on February 3 to hold the two elections separately.
Q: But you have submitted a draft law to run the two elections simultaneously. What about that?
A: Yes, I have submitted a draft law to run the two elections simultaneously but the Government has not decided the matter yet.
Q: Why should the two elections be held simultaneously, in your opinion?
A: There are many reasons, including economizing expenditures, paperwork, and monitoring. The state would save money. Also, voters could vote at one time instead of two times. Ballots could be printed listing both candidates for Parliament and candidates for managing officials in local settlements. But the MPP is not in favor of running the two elections at the same time.
Q: There will be nominated from 600 to 700 candidates for the parliamentary election and 20,000 candidates for the local settlement election. How difficult would it be to hold the two elections on the same day?
A: The current number of officials on Civil Representatives Assemblies is 10,000. The MPP and DP have already nominated their candidates for the assemblies. Other political parties have not nominated their candidates yet. That is why there would not be difficulties simultaneously holding the two elections.
Q: What is the structure for the local settlement election?
A: There is a majority system in large districts and my draft law would not change that structure. Votes would be counted by machines and the General Authority for State Registration would register voters’ names. Campaign rules are similar, and if a candidate promises to give cash, he or she will be held accountable. State officials must resign six months before the election. These provisions will be enforced in the local settlement election. There is a different provision that candidates of soum civil representatives’ assemblies will be registered in soum khoroos. It will not be difficult to simultaneously run the two elections and there will be much savings.
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