MP R.Amarjargal answers our journalist’s questions.

Where do matters
stand with the draft election law?
The two parties have talked and have reached agreement on provisions in the
competing drafts and I think a consensus will be reached after a review of the
last two decade’ history, today’s situation and future possibilities. This is
the most important task facing us in the Fall session and once we decide on
what sort of election we shall have, many other things will fall in place.

Has the DP group decided
what it wants in the election law?
Our group mainly favors the proportional system but there is no absolute
unanimity. A mixed system is likely to be the final choice, if the MPRP supports
the idea. We shall take the best ideas from all the drafts, including R.Bold’s.

What about the
structure of the constituencies?
Here, too, there is no consensus as yet. It seems we shall have neither the
present system nor a purely proportional form but would adopt a mixed
structure. The majority system could elect 26 members to Parliament, while the
remaining 50 can be decided on the proportional system. In my opinion the most
probable version would have a mixed system and large electoral districts.

Would the mixed
system not make for an unequal situation for candidates?
Of course that would be so. But the Parliament election in 2012 will be
held simultaneously with local elections, so 26 candidates each will be their
parties’ basic representatives and if they get more votes the party’s share
will increase.
We made one choice in 1990 but there are new demands for the 21^st
century. Political parties will take up a new role.

How can they adapt to
the new role?

There will be laws to strengthen political parties. Nobody will be able to
establish a political party only for contesting an election, and nobody will be
allowed to change the party affiliation. Politics will not be commercially
utilized. The election structure should reflect these principles. Only thus will
the state democratic structure be strengthened. Weak parties will make the
state fragile.

What about the gender
law?  Do you favor a quota for women or do
you prefer open competition between women and men?
Frankly, I think we have gender equality and there is no need for the law.
There could be some special provisions for women in politics but a wider gender
equality should apply to everybody. There are many men who are disadvantaged
and lack opportunities.

Whatever the reasons,
elections now mean money has to be spent. Do you think this is why women do not
succeed in politics?
We should reform the political structure to see that money does not play an
important role.

What do you think
Parliament will do on the Anti-Corruption Authority chief’s issue?
Parliament must assert that any violation of the law is a serious matter,
more so when high officials are charged with the violation. There is nothing
like a minor infraction or a major violation. People are not happy with the double
standards being followed.

I shall not speak about the specific issue of Sangaragcha. It is more important
to establish a proper relationship between Parliament and other state
organizations. That is the main issue and there should be no discrimination for
or against anybody.