Mongolia's major opposition party set to win parliamentary election

Mongolian People's Party (MPP), the country's major opposition party, won a landslide victory in Wednesday's parliamentary election and is thus eligible to form a new government.

Preliminary results announced by the General Election Commission of Mongolia early Thursday showed that the MPP won 65 out of the parliament's 76 seats.

The ruling Democratic Party of Mongolia won nine seats, the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party won one seat and so did the independents.

In a speech early Thursday, MPP Chairman Enkhbold Miegombo thanked his supporters, saying: "Mongolian people put their trust in the MPP. We understand there is a huge responsibility behind this trust. We will work hard to improve the current economic situation and the falling reputation of Mongolia in international arena."

Under Mongolian law, beside forming a new government, the majority party in parliament will also appoint the prime minister and parliament speaker.

According to the election commission, 72.1 percent of about the 1.9 million eligible voters cast their votes in this election. Endi