ULAN BATOR (Reuters) - Mongolia's opposition leader demanded on Friday a vote recount in 12 areas, in a challenge to preliminary election results that showed the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) winning a majority in parliament.
Allegations of cheating in Sunday's election ledstone-throwing mobs to set the MPRP headquarters on fire, in anight of violence that killed five and prompted the presidentto impose a four-day state of emergency.
"We do need a recount of ballot papers in at least 12disputed constituencies where our candidates may have won,"Democratic Party leader Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj told Reuters.
The opposition leader's demand could dim hopes forstability in the windswept Central Asian nation after afour-year period of fractious coalition rule that hasundermined economic growth and held up long-delayed miningdeals seen as key to lifting Mongolia out of poverty.
The General Election Committee has yet to declare anofficial result, but said an initial count showed the MPRPtaking 47 seats out of 76 in the Great Hural, with 26 seats forthe Democratic Party and the remainder divided between smallerparties.
International observers say the election, in a country thatis seen as a rare example of democracy in Central Asia, waslargely free and fair, even though there was some confusionover a new system of multi-member constituencies.
A previous election in 2004 resulted in a hung parliamentand troubled coalition rule. Further political uncertaintycould hold up major mining deals that could unlock the vastreserves of copper, coal, uranium and other resources beneaththe country's vast steppes and deserts.
The biggest project at stake is at Oyu Tolgoi, also knownas Turquoise Hill, backed by Ivanhoe Mines of Canada and RioTinto.
(Reporting by Irja Halasz, writing by Lindsay Beck; Editingby Benjamin Kang Lim and Ben Tan)
