By decree of Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, a state of emergency was introduced in Ulaanbaatar last night for a period of four days. Protests by opposition leaders, who claimed that the results of Sunday's parliamentary elections were falsified, led to mass unrest in the Mongolian capital yesterday. The crowd set fire to the headquarters of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP). Three dozen police officers were injured during the clashes; law enforcement officers used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons.
According to preliminary data, the MPRP won the elections, gaining 46 seats in parliament, the opposition Democratic Party - 27. The opposition demands a recount of ballots or new parliamentary elections. The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Tsakhiyagin Elbegdorj, claims that in most rural areas the democrats won, not representatives of the MPRP.
