The Mongolian State Great Khural (parliament) has announced a parliamentary by-election in Khentii Province after MP D.Gantulga submitted his resignation amid what he called a ‘politically motivated’ rape allegation.  The by-election has been scheduled to be held on 7 October. However, the Mongolian Constitutional Court has ruled that the announcement of Khentii election has violated the Constitution. As a result, the by-election may be postponed until 2019.

D.Gantulga from the Mongolian People’s Party won his seat in the State Great Khural from the 42nd parliamentary district in June 2016. He has since been accused of raping a 25-year-old female student at her home in June, 2017. The victim’s sister first reported the alleged crime to the police. When the case was made public, Gantulga, 31, pleaded not guilty and insisted that they ‘mutually consented’ to have sexual intercourse. The trial of the rape case involving D.Gantulga will be held tomorrow, Friday 24 August.