Mongolia announces winner of national elections

03/07/2008 22:36:48

The former communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party has won the national elections.

The General Election Committee made the announcement, while also dismissing allegations of vote rigging.

Spokesman Purevdorjiin Naranbat says the MPRP won 47 of the 76 seats in parliament, while its main rival, the Democratic Party won 26 seats.

Independents and minor parties won the other three.

Accusations by the Democratic Party that the MPRP had rigged the elections led to riots in the capital of Ulan Bator on Tuesday that left five people dead and forced the government to implement an unprecedented state of emergency.

However, Mr Naranbat maintains the elections were fair.

"The election was organised well and by law. It was really fair," he said.

"Some people did not accept that their candidates lost. We counted again and again but it was still the same result so there is nothing wrong."

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network