Presidential Election Officially Begins

On Wednesday, the General Election Commission (GEC) presented candidates with mandates to run in the 2013 presidential election. Granting mandates to the candidates marks the official start of the election campaign. The first candidate to receive the election mandate was Ts.Elbegdorj, nominee of the Democratic Party (DP). He arrived at the central office of the GEC along with DP Chairman, N.Altankhuyag, the Governor of Ulaanbaatar, E.Bat-uul, and other DP members. Recently, the Mongolian National Democratic Party and Civil Will-Green Party have expressed their support of the DP’s nominee in the presidential election.

After introducing a resolution to register the candidates in the 2013 presidential election, GEC Chairman, Ch.Sodnomtseren, presented the Mongolian People’s Party candidate, former wrestler and champion, B.Bat-Erdene, with his mandate to run in the election. B.Bat-Erdene also arrived with his supporters and colleagues. During the ceremony to receive mandates he said, “I am running in the presidential election for the first time and I have received my mandate from the GEC. I believe the GEC will...