Former martial arts star wins Mongolian Presidential election

Populist former martial arts star and businessman Khaltmaa Battulga has won Mongolia’s Presidential run-off election, according to voter data from the General Election Commission released on Saturday.

The poll was seen as a referendum on the government’s economic recovery plans and the role of southern neighbour China in the landlocked but resource-rich country known as the birthplace of Mongol emperor Genghis Khan.

Mr. Battulga, of the opposition Democratic Party, won with 50.6 per cent of the vote on a 60.9 per cent turnout, giving him the majority needed to overcome his opponent, parliament speaker Miyeegombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party.

Election officials are still, however, waiting on a final count of votes from abroad.