Mongolia votes in presidential poll

Elbegdorj, regarded as a liberal and populist candidate, is the only opposition challenger [EPA] Polls have opened in Mongolia for a tightly-contested presidential election that comes nearly a year after allegations of vote-rigging sparked deadly violence in the country's last national poll. Sunday's vote pits Nambaryn Enkhbayar, the incumbent president and leader of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary party (MPRP), against his sole challenger, Tsakhia Elbegdorj of the Democratic Party. Enkhbayar has pledged to continue government support for his party's rural base, while Elbegdorj has pitched his campaign on reforming control of Mongolia's rich natural resources. Elbegdorj, regarded as a liberal and populist opposition candidate, has said he will work to ensure Mongolia's natural resources are used "to improve the livelihood of the Mongolian people". Landmark deal Though the office of president is largely ceremonial in Mongolia, the contest for the presidency has distracted parliament from work on approving a landmark agreement on investment in the country's mining industry. By(MR.KAKAR)