Close
The Price of an Election: Split hopes and political ambivalence in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar
By uczipm0, on 13 July 2017
This post was written by Liz Fox, a UCL ESRC-funded anthropology PhD candidate affiliated to the Emerging Subjects project.
[The material for this blog post was collected from a variety of sources that have been anonymised. For the privacy and safety of my many interlocutors, their stories have been aggregated. It does not refer to any specific place or people.]
“Come quick! They’re giving money after all!” Baatar rushed into the ger where his relatives were sitting, discussing the Mongolian parliamentary election that was taking place that day. The road to the election had been both long and disappointing and all present were in agreement that it had been the “dirtiest” election the country had seen in its 26 years of democracy. From the start there was mudslinging, or as it is known in Mongolian, “black PR” (har pr). Each of the three presidential candidates had been accused of one scandal or another, whether it was Ganbaatar’s (of the MAHN, or Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party) 50,000 KRW bribe from the Moon religious group, Battulga’s (of the AN, or Democratic Party) 44 companies and messy family life, including a Russian wife and a son connected to drugs, or Enkhbold’s (of the MAN, or Mongolian People’s Party) selling of land when he was UB mayor, his feature in two secretly-filmed viral videos that tie him to bribery and the selling of government positions, and the accusations that he is actually Chinese. Indeed, when the candidates were announced, many Mongolians said there was no one to choose from, they are all as bad as each other and that it was an “unelectable election” (songuuldgui songuul).
I arrived in an Eastern ger district of Ulaanbaatar mere days before the first round election and learned that there had been an upswing in support for Ganbaatar, the Revolutionary Party’s Candidate. For an area that had preferred the MAN over the AN in the previous year’s parliamentary election, the outright rejection of the ruling party’s presidential candidate seemed surprising; and yet, Enkhbold was said to be the worst of the worst. Ganbaatar, the outsider candidate, had managed to differentiate himself in the eyes of ger district voters from the two big party candidates as being an honest and upstanding man. Similar to the popular support that Jawkhlan the singer had galvanised in the parliamentary election a year before, this year Ganbaatar was felt to have a “heart” for the people of Mongolia. Like Jawkhlan, Ganbaatar’s lack of high level education was even seen as a bonus: “What university did Chinggis Khaan graduate from, huh?” a middle-aged supporter asked.
Two nights before the election, a ger district-dwelling family and I sat in front of the TV in a small brick home, watching the final debate. The family were open with their criticisms, tutting and shaking their heads at almost everything Enkhbold and Battulga said. They spoke back to the figures on the television regularly with a “Shaaal hudlaa!” (What a liar!) or a sarcastic “Oo saihan yarij bn” (How nicely he speaks). In contrast, Ganbaatar’s earnest propositions were followed with resounding expressions of approval, “Yag zuw!”, “Unen shvv” or “Tiishdee”. It was clear that this election had become largely driven by emotion. For those on the margins who have seen 26 year of democracy lead only to increasing inequality and economic turmoil, the fat cats at the top eating the country’s natural bounty, sweet words and promises from wealthy politicians mean little. “They’re all the same,” people repeated, “they’ll say anything and then, when they’re elected, they’ll do nothing but eat”.
While there were rumours of cash hand outs in the run-up to the parliamentary election last year, politicians also used fairly “clean” techniques in their attempts to attract votes, such as building a new road or the distribution of the Tavan Tolgoi shares. This year, however, cash was flowing everywhere. Phone calls were made back and forth and what felt like hundreds of cars descended on the neighbourhood. Suddenly the call would go around, “the car is here!” there would be a rush to check for one’s ID card and four or five people at a time would leave the ger to meet the car. After the doors closed, each person would be handed a 20,000MNT note and told, “Vote for Enkhbold! After you’ve voted, bring your little white paper receipt back to us”. The passengers would then be dropped off a little distance from the local school that served as a polling station to avoid police detection. The party workers, temporary employees who stood to gain a 300,000 MNT salary for 20 days of work, would also receive payment according to the number of ‘white papers’ they collected from voters. In some areas, parties were offering 100,000MNT for 30 papers, in other areas it was 100,000 for 5. An instant economy of white papers then sprung up: people bartered over them, sold them to one another and told each other to deliver them to so-and-so. As matters unfolded on the ground, people were also glued to Facebook checking for news. A Democratic Party car carrying 120 million MNT to be distributed to voters in Western Mongolian provinces caused a stir. It was clear that both parties would do whatever it took to win.
Ger district families were quick to take advantage of the parties’ activities. Some relatives who live in the countryside but were visiting the city had wrongly heard that they could vote anywhere. Believing they could vote in Ulaanbaatar, they didn’t return to the countryside in time for the election. That, however, did not stop them from getting in the car and pledging to vote for Enkhbold in exchange for an easy 20,000MNT. A couple residents under the voting age of 18 were able to collect the money. Every person I know who took the MAN party’s money and voted, voted for Ganbaatar. Indeed, people took great satisfaction in having out-hustled the “hustlers” (luiwerchin) who had tried to buy their votes. Although the money was a bonus and everyone chased it, there remained some ambivalence and debate over whether it was truly clean. “They’ll say they bought us poor people’s votes cheaply,” one woman exclaimed passionately, the 20,000MNT note hidden in her clenched fist, “but they’re wrong! They didn’t buy anything. We didn’t even vote for their candidate. And anyway, why shouldn’t we take the money? They sit up there eating everything without a care for us out here. There’s nothing wrong with taking a little back from what’s been stolen from us!” While there was disappointment with the electoral proceedings, no one seemed completely cynical about the election itself. People voted for Ganbaatar with their hearts and truly hoped he would win, even as they worried that with the amount of money being splashed around by the big parties, their outsider candidate would have no chance.
Polls closed at 10pm and the election circus around the bus stop began to clear. People returned home to hear the 10 o’clock announcement of the early results. There was great shock and happiness when it became clear that Enkhbold had done poorly. The local area had indeed elected Ganbaatar, despite the payments, and the countryside relatives were relieved to see that their homeland had also supported Ganbaatar, without their votes. While the AN candidate Battulga lead the race, Ganbaatar’s strong showing looked like it would force a run-off election as no candidate would reach the minimum 50% of the vote. That prospect was incredibly exciting as people felt sure in a two-horse, second-round race Ganbaatar would win. The results continued to come it as the night progressed, the family remained glued to the television until around 2am. By that point, the picture seemed clear and the large extended family one by one fell asleep in their little brick home.
The shock upon awakening to hear that in the night Enkhbold had somehow overtaken Ganbaatar cannot be overstated. Apparently, one province’s election centre had lost power during the count and when the power was reconnected, the numbers favoured Enkhbold enough to push him ahead of Ganbaatar. In the ger district, it was universally considered a fraud and a lie. People felt for Ganbaatar, they argued he had run a clean race – unable to raise the funds to distribute the kinds of cash that the other two candidates threw around – and yet, or perhaps therefore, he had lost. Some days of confusion and dismay followed. There was debate over how exactly the second round would be organised, but eventually it became clear Ganbaatar had been cut from the race: the second round would have no clean candidate.
In the days between the first and second round elections, the only positive people could find in the situation was the possibility that the second round election might encourage even bigger cash hand-outs. Ger district residents had heard from countryside relatives that up to 50,000MNT per vote had been being distributed and were excited at the prospect another cash bonus. This hope, however, was only half the story. Politically-speaking, people remained committed to Ganbaatar, or at the very least committed against the two remaining candidates. A plan began to form to submit black ballots at the very least as a protest against Ganbaatar’s stolen election and perhaps even to force a third election with three new candidates.
Rumours continued to swirl about the dark methods by which Enkhbold would assure his own victory: apparently, his party workers would collect people’s registration numbers and then ‘hack’ the electronic voting machines to ensure that those votes would go to him. Indeed, two days before the election a relative arrived at the home asking the family to write down their registration numbers and promising to give them 20,000. As it happened only two siblings were home at the time, one 19, the other 23. What followed was a tense but jovial negotiation. Their uncle tried to use his relative authority to ‘encourage’ them to write down all the eligible family members’ ID numbers, while the other two slid between positions, sometimes deferring to their absent mother’s authority (their mother being the uncle’s elder sister) telling him to ask her, and other times insisting that they be given the money up front or that they would only sell for a higher price. Eventually the uncle left to try to collect the neighbours’ ID numbers, telling the two he would be back in the evening.
The morning of the election came and went without event. The previous day the ruling party had released a sudden notice that the ‘children’s money’ (20,000MNT/month per child) that had been stopped for all but the poorest families since February would suddenly be restored: the full amount being automatically deposited into people’s accounts. Queues at the bank reached into the hundreds. For the ger district family, this development was a disappointment. As a poor family they had been collecting the children’s money every month as a vital part of their monthly income. As such, the windfall that came to richer families did not come to them at all: further proof in fact that the ruling party didn’t care about the poorest citizens. It wasn’t until the evening until Baatar burst into the ger announcing that there would be pay-outs after all. This time no car came and the eligible voters walked to the polling station. A phone call told them to wait behind a small shop that sells second-hand clothes. Then a further call told them to go behind the school. A third call then told them to vote first and collect the money afterwards. The family duly deposited their blank ballots and then began to congregate with neighbours and relatives outside the polling station. Rumours spread this way and that, and yet no money appeared. A middle-aged man told me, “It’s sad isn’t it to see how we Mongolians will run after only 20,000MNT. But what can we do? We need the money and if they’re going to give it out why shouldn’t we have some?” Tired of waiting at the bus stop, people headed home. Eventually that night the money came: another 20,000MNT each.
Despite his efforts, both black and white, Enkhbold did not win the election. Battulga defeated him and will be inaugurated today (the 10th). Ger district residents seemed to have lost interest in politics the day after the election. Some people even said, “Maybe it would have been better if Enkhbold had won: what can a AN president do in the face of a majority MAN parliament?” People were proud of their blank ballots: around 100,000 were cast across the country, but not enough to force another election. For the most part, however, things returned to normal: politicians don’t care about the ger district and their chronic absence speaks louder than the occasional sweet words ger district resident’s hear around elections. Ger district residents resumed their lives, briefly 40,000MNT richer but without any hope that positive change would be on the horizon.
795 Responses to “The Price of an Election: Split hopes and political ambivalence in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar”
- 1
-
2
nova martin wrote on 21 March 2023:
Nice Blog !!! Thanks to Admin for sharing the above list. I visited many pages of your Blog. Really your Blog is Awesome. Keep Sharing such good Stories. Thanks.
-
3
jesmine eva wrote on 21 March 2023:
I read your blog and learned a lot from it, I was looking for such a blog, and many thanks for sharing this information.
-
4
Amelia Wotson wrote on 21 March 2023:
Awesome Blog !!! Thanks to Admin for sharing the above list. I visited many pages of your Blog. Really your Blog is Awesome. Keep Sharing such good Stories. Thanks.
Visit Us : silver manufacturing Company -
5
Amelia Cruz wrote on 21 March 2023:
I read your blog and learned a lot from it, I was looking for such a blog, and many thanks for sharing this information.
Visit Now :- https://www.rananjayexports.com/blog/the_beginners_guide_to_identify_natural_turquoise_jewelry
-
6
zoey levy wrote on 21 March 2023:
I visited many pages of your website. Really your Blog is Awesome. Thanks to Admin for sharing this.
-
7
Jerry Stark wrote on 21 March 2023:
Your blog is filled with unique good articles! I was impressed how well you express your thoughts.
Visit Now :- Best way to clean tanzanite jewelry -
8
celebrities wearing turquoise jewelry wrote on 21 March 2023:
I am very happy to discover your post as it will become on top in my collection of favorite blogs to visit. Visit Us:- celebrities wearing turquoise jewelry
-
9
Aliza kat wrote on 21 March 2023:
Awesome Information!!! Thanks to Admin for sharing this. I visited many pages of your website. Really your Blog is Awesome. Keep Sharing such good Stories. Thanks. Visit Here: Herkimer Diamond Properties
-
10
larajasmine wrote on 21 March 2023:
I really love your website and all it web blogs and post I’m going to recommend your website to others it really informative and has good content. Visit @ Moonstone
- 11
-
12
Chris Hemsworth wrote on 21 March 2023:
Moonstone is a captivating gemstone known for its mystic properties and enchanting allure. Its name was derived from its resemblance to the luminous glow of the moon, and it has been revered for centuries for its many benefits and Moonstone meaning. Moonstone benefits include promoting emotional balance and harmony, enhancing intuition, and promoting inner strength and confidence. Its meaning is deeply rooted in the connection with the divine feminine, making it a popular choice for spiritual practitioners. Moonstone properties include its iridescent sheen, which is caused by light scattering through the layers of the stone, and its association with the element of water, which makes it a powerful tool for cleansing and healing.
-
13
Alice Cruze wrote on 21 March 2023:
Thank you so much for sharing such useful information over here with us. This is really a great blog have you written. I really enjoyed reading your article. I will be looking forward to reading your next post. Visit- moldavite benefits
-
14
DannyMarker wrote on 21 March 2023:
I hope you will share such type of impressive content again with us so that we can utilize it and get more advantage
Tiger Eye Stone Benefits -
15
how to tell if opal is real wrote on 21 March 2023:
I respectfully read your valuable article and post. Your efforts have paid off. You have written a special, informative and qualified article. congratulations. I wish you continued success :
how to tell if opal is real -
16
Emma George wrote on 21 March 2023:
Thank you so much for sharing such useful information over here with us. This is really a great blog have you written. I really enjoyed reading your article. I will be looking forward to reading your next post. Visit@ now https://www.rananjayexports.com/blog/which_jewelry_to_wear_according_to_your_zodiac_sign
-
17
punedolls wrote on 21 March 2023:
Call Girls Pune position is a series of sex positions that allows a male and a female to perform oral sex simultaneously. Using the 69 positions is a little naughty but can be pretty exciting.
-
18
Hyderabad Escorts wrote on 22 March 2023:
Thank you very much for your blog site is very nice and users for the best website.
We are the best site for finding escort advertisements, and our listings for Hyderabad Escorts feature women who provide the most opulent, sensuous massage services right at your door. Our escorts offer a variety of sensual massages, including sexual massages, naked massages, tantric massages, body-to-body massages (as practiced in India), and stone massages. -
19
Gurgaon Escorts gurgaonbeauties.com wrote on 22 March 2023:
Wonderfull post your blog was amazing Gurgaon Escort Service
-
20
Celebration wrote on 22 March 2023:
If you’re looking for the perfect birthday decorations. Look no further than Celebration Management, India’s top-rated decorations platform. Our extensive range of decorations includes everything from balloons and streamers to customized backdrops and centerpieces. With our team of experienced party planners, your birthday celebration is sure to be a hit. Book now and let us take care of the details!
-
21
Meena Singh wrote on 23 March 2023:
Nothing is better than a Full body massage in Chennai to get rid out of stress, hypertension, body pain, and depression. Get a full Body to body massage in Chennai spa at affordable prices, which is Vipbody spa is offering in Chennai Fully Safe, Full Privacy and Well trained Nuru massage in Chennai therapists.
-
22
Alex wrote on 23 March 2023:
AirlinesMap un sitio nuevo y vibrante que busca ayudar a los viajeros de todo el mundo al proporcionar una plataforma de búsqueda para reservar boletos de avión instantáneos a precios muy económicos. Ofrecemos una gran cantidad de paquetes en vuelos a cualquier parte del mundo. Ahora, los clientes pueden visitar nuestro sitio o llamarnos a nuestro número gratuito para obtener información sobre vuelos y boletos de avión baratos con una función de reserva instantánea en cualquier aerolínea con la tarifa aérea más baja y nominal.
-
23
Magalena Campbell wrote on 23 March 2023:
This blog is really helpful regarding all educational knowledge I earned. It covered a great area of subject which can assist a lot of needy people. Everything mentioned here is clear and very useful.
what is chakra jewelry - 24
-
25
Massage therapist wrote on 24 March 2023:
Ramyabodyspa Massage is a professional massage center near to me in Bangalore. It is a luxurious spa center which provides all kinds of body massage and related services. Massage near me
-
26
spa in banjara hills wrote on 24 March 2023:
you are massaged in a fully clothed in a desk design for relaxed you
spa in banjara hills -
27
bellaspa hsrlayout wrote on 24 March 2023:
all type of massage we serve is available in our b2b spa in hsr layout let’s enjoy your choice of body massage in our best center
- 28
-
29
Yogendra Pratap wrote on 24 March 2023:
Nice Blog appreciates your effort in appreciating the informational blog. Thank you for sharing these useful blogs.
Regards
ISO 14001 Certification USA -
30
Mohan Ishani wrote on 25 March 2023:
I desire to read more things about it! Best of luck for the next! Please visit my web site Massage near me service provider
-
31
Sara Kaur wrote on 25 March 2023:
Are the escorts in Delhi professional and discreet? Thereafter, Delhi Escorts are known for being both professional and discreet. They provide an enjoyable and safe experience, ensuring that clients feel comfortable and respected. Delhi Escorts is the perfect option if you are looking for a fun and discreet experience in Delhi.
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
-
37
piyawat wrote on 26 March 2023:
ufabetstar365 เว็บตรงบาคาร่าออนไลน์ เว็บบาคาร่า เว็บแทงบอลออนไลน์ เว็บตรงคาสิโนออนไลน์ บาคาร่า แทงบอล สล็อต ครบวงจรที่เดียว ของเราก็ยังมีสูตรที่พร้อมสำหรับ ค่ายเกมทั้งหลายมาให้ร่วมสนุกกันในที่เดียว เว็บตรงแทงบอลออนไลน์ เว็บพนันบอลออนไลน์ เว็บตรง บาคาร่า บาคาร่าออนไลน์ ทั้งระบบ iOS และ Android ตัวใหม่ล่าสุด ยูฟ่าเบท เข้าสู่ระบบ เว็บแทงบอลออนไลน์
-
38
bellaspajayanagar wrote on 27 March 2023:
If you want some happiness in this busy life,come-body massage in jayanagar
-
39
body massage indiranagar wrote on 27 March 2023:
the body massage centre in indirangar is the best of all , so why dealy let’s take advantage of this one time opportunity
-
40
bellaspaindiranagar wrote on 27 March 2023:
choose your best body massage from b2b spa indiranagar bangalore and take your favorite body massage and glow your skin
-
41
bellaspajayanagar wrote on 27 March 2023:
.While balancing family, a high-stress work, and other commitments, a massage can be a terrific way to refresh female to male spa in jayanagar can aid with stress, anxiety, and depression reduction, according to research. All the activities that need to be completed throughout the day seem less onerous when there is less stress
-
42
Gurgaon escorts wrote on 27 March 2023:
Gurgaon is major city of Haryana I am providing fun escort service in this city who is fulfilling your every dreams my name is Priya Rai I am 22 years old very hot and sexy girl call come in my arms and contact have fun.Gurgaon escort service
-
43
Islamabad Call Girls wrote on 27 March 2023:
Among the fastest-growing industries in Islamabad, we offer our services throughout the city. High-status Islamabad Young Escorts are the pinnacle of the call girl experience. Please let me know if you’re available to meet up with us so that we can have a wonderful and memorable experience.
-
44
silvershine 925 wrote on 27 March 2023:
925 Silver Shine have the amazing team for silver jewelry, Semi-Precious Gemstone and Silver Findings Manufacturers. We create the designs as per the trends and sales to wholesale buyers. If you are looking for the wholesale silver jewelry creative designs, then you are on the right place of the web. The best Silver Jewelry Wholesaler & supplier of 925 silver jewellery online is here. You will get the most amazing experience of buying silver Jewelry Such as Gemstone Silver Rings, Gemstone Silver Earrings, Gemstone silver Pendant Etc.
http://www.925silvershine.com/ -
45
Islamabad escorts service wrote on 27 March 2023:
Welcome to Islamabad Escorts Service. We provide elite call girls in Islamabad tours and erotic sexual pleasure of your taste. Our high profile escorts in Islamabad are the sexiest in the world. We are looking for business, high class clients for outcall service in hotels/ resorts only. We are a premium escorts agency that has been providing the best companion for your night fun. Furthermore, we are proud to remain at the top of our field. We provide five-star service to five-star clients.
http://isbgirls.com/ -
46
priyaroy wrote on 27 March 2023:
Our professionals offer un limited treatments. You can receive first-rate services at the spa to revitalise your body, mind, and spirit. Visit female to male spa near electronic city
-
47
priyamajestic wrote on 27 March 2023:
A professional massage therapist uses a variety of pressures, movements, and methods during massage treatment to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues in the body.
female to male spa in majestic - 48
-
49
Vinsmoke Sanji wrote on 28 March 2023:
Paypal Login Hence, if you also intend to use PayPal to begin your financial path, this article will undoubtedly be helpful to you. Here, we’ll explain the PayPal login procedure as well as some other features that will be of use to you in the long term. Hence, if you have the time, please carefully go through this thorough text.
-
50
Vinsmoke Sanji wrote on 28 March 2023:
Capital One Login searching for a bank where you may blindly deposit your funds into the trust. If so, logging in with your Capital One account will allow you to move further. To avoid having regrets about your choice later, I would like you to be aware of a few background facts and the guiding principles of this bank before you begin your financial journey with them.
Nice Blog!!! Thanks to Admin for sharing the above list. I visited many pages of your Blog. Really your Blog is Awesome. Keep Sharing such good Stories. Thanks.
Visit Now@ larimar stone jewelry