In Mongolia, electoral reform ushers in a record number of women to parliament
Source: Internacional IDEA
Mongolia's electoral reforms have significantly transformed the political landscape, ushering a record number of women into Parliament. This change follows the May 2023 constitutional amendment, which expanded parliamentary seats from 76 to 126 and introduced a mandatory 30 per cent candidate quota for women. As a result, the number of female MPs has increased dramatically, from 13 to 32.
The elections on 28 June 2023, were the first under this new system; introducing the parallel system in which 48 out of 126 were elected through proportionate representation. Mongolia's political landscape has long been dominated by two major parties, the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) and the Democratic Party (DP), the MPP winning the last two elections by a large margin. Although the MPP retained dominance with 68 seats, the margin was narrower than in previous elections. The DP increased its representation from 11 to 42 seats.
The reform was motivated by an intent to bolster multiparty democracy by allowing easier access for smaller parties into Parliament, preventing any single party from achieving a ‘supermajority’, and enhancing female representation. This goal of including smaller political parties was realized as the other three parties; the National Labour Party (HUN), National Coalition, and Civil Will – Green Party secured seats as well.
Read here the full article published by International IDEA on 11 July 2024.
Mongolia's electoral reforms have significantly transformed the political landscape, ushering a record number of women into Parliament. This change follows the May 2023 constitutional amendment, which expanded parliamentary seats from 76 to 126 and introduced a mandatory 30 per cent candidate quota for women. As a result, the number of female MPs has increased dramatically, from 13 to 32.
The elections on 28 June 2023, were the first under this new system; introducing the parallel system in which 48 out of 126 were elected through proportionate representation. Mongolia's political landscape has long been dominated by two major parties, the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) and the Democratic Party (DP), the MPP winning the last two elections by a large margin. Although the MPP retained dominance with 68 seats, the margin was narrower than in previous elections. The DP increased its representation from 11 to 42 seats.
The reform was motivated by an intent to bolster multiparty democracy by allowing easier access for smaller parties into Parliament, preventing any single party from achieving a ‘supermajority’, and enhancing female representation. This goal of including smaller political parties was realized as the other three parties; the National Labour Party (HUN), National Coalition, and Civil Will – Green Party secured seats as well.
Read here the full article published by International IDEA on 11 July 2024.
