The State Great Khural is the unicameral parliament of Mongolia,Montsame News Agency. Mongolia (2006). Foreign Service office of Montsame News Agency, , p. 40. located in the Government Palace in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Elections to the State Great Khural are held every four years, the latest election was held in June 2024.
The State Great Khural currently consists of 126 seats, 78 of which were elected by multiple non-transferable vote in multi-member constituencies whilst the other 48 were elected by closed list proportional representation. Prior to the 2023 constitutional amendment, the State Great Khural was made up of 76 seats, all elected by plurality block voting.
After the ratification of the 1992 Constitution, which abolished the bicameral People's Great Khural and the State Little Khural, a unicameral parliament was established and first convened on 20 July 1992.
History
1914–1919 Prince and khan Tögs-Ochiryn Namnansüren became the chairman of the State Great Khural in February 1914, and served until his death in April 1919.
1924–1960 The first State Great Khural was called to session in November 1924. This body was the legislature of the Mongolian People's Republic. It delegated much of its powers to an executive committee—the Little Khural. The Great Khural held nine sessions between November 1924 and February 1949. Following electoral reforms in 1951, the numbering of its sessions began again. The first was held in July 1951 and the third in July 1957.Alan J. K. Sanders (ed.), "Hural, Little" and "Hural, State Little", in Historical Dictionary of Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Scarecrow Press, 2003), p. 161.
1960–1992
In 1960, a new constitution was adopted and the body was renamed the "People's Great Khural", but the sessions were not renumbered. The fourth took place in July 1960 and the last in September 1992. In Russian and Mongolian historiography, the term "People's Great Khural" is frequently extended back to refer to the 1924–60 Khural to distinguish it from the post-1992 State Great Khural.
Democratic transition In the aftermath of the 1990 Democratic Revolution, the first free, democratic and multi-party election in Mongolia was held in July 1990. Subsequently, the newly elected parliament amended the Constitution of the Mongolian People's Republic, established the State Baga Khural which replaced the People's Great Khural as the highest legislative body, effectively making the People's Great Khural a representative upper house and the State Baga Khural a legislative lower house.
The State Little Khural was established with a composition of 50 members and 5 standing committees. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (33), The Mongolian Democratic Party (13), The Mongolian Social Democratic Party (4), The Mongolian National Progress Party (3) won seats in the parliament proportionally to the party vote in the 1990 elections. Radnaasümbereliyn Gonchigdorj (MSDP) was elected the Little Khural's first chairman and Byaraagiin Chimed (MPRP) the first Chairman of the Secretariat.
From 1990 to 1992, the Little Khural adopted 27 new laws, ratified 17 international treaties and conventions as well as made amendments to 19 laws.
After a new constitution was ratified on 13 January 1992, the Little Khural was dissolved and a new unicameral parliament called the State Great Khural was established.Alan J. K. Sanders (ed.), "Hural, Little" and "Hural, State Little", in Historical Dictionary of Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Scarecrow Press, 2003), p. 162.
1992–1996 The 1st State Great Khural had 10 standing committees (reduced to 6 in 1995). In the 1992 parliamentary elections, the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (70), the Democratic Union Coalition of the Mongolian Democratic Party, the Mongolian National Progress Party and the Green Party (4), the Mongolian Social Democratic Party (1) and one independent politician won seats. The elected chairman was Natsagiin Bagabandi (MPRP), and the Chairman of the Secretariat was Namsrain Rechnindorj (MPRP).
The 1st State Great Khural adopted 137 laws, made amendments to 142 laws, and repealed 46 laws. The parliament also ratified 40 international treaties and conventions during its term.
1996–2000 The 2nd State Great Khural had 5 standing committees in 1996–1997. This increased to 7 standing committees in 1997–2000. The Democratic Union Coalition (50), The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (25), The Mongolian Conservative United Party (1) won seats in the parliament. The elected chairman was Radnaasümbereliyn Gonchigdorj (for the second time), and the Chairman of the Secretariat was Logiin Tsog until 1999. The next Chairman of the Secretariat was Baasanganobyn Enebish.
The 2nd State Great Khural adopted 173 new laws, made amendments to 255 laws and repealed 32 laws. The parliament also ratified 71 international treaties and conventions.
2000–2004 The 3rd State Great Khural had 7 standing committees. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (72), The Democratic Union Coalition (1), The Civil Will Party – The Mongolian Green Party (1), The Motherland – The Mongolian Democratic New Socialist Party (1), one independent won a seat in the parliament. The elected chairman was Lhamsürem Enebish till 2001, and the Chairman of the Secretariat was Baasanganobo Enebish till 2001. The next chairman was Sanjbegz Tömör-Ochir, and the next Chairman of the Secretariat was Dagdankhuu Batbaatar until 2003. The third and final Chairman of the Secretariat during this term was Namsraijav Luvsanjav.
The 3rd State Great Khural adopted 140 new laws, made amendments to 443 laws, and repealed 51 laws. The parliament also ratified 110 international treaties and conventions.
2004–2008 The 4th State Great Khural had 11 standing committees as well as 8 subcommittees from 2004 to 2006. The number of standing committees was reduced to 7 in 2006. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (37), the Motherland and Democracy Union (35), The Republican Party (1) and 3 independents won seats in the parliament. The elected chairman was Nambaryn Enkhbayar (MPRP) until 2005, and the Chairman of the Secretariat continued to be Namsraijaviin Luvsanjav (MPRP). The next chairman was Tsendiin Nyamdorj (MPRP) until 2007. The third and final chairman during this term was Danzangiin Lundeejantsan (MPRP).
The fourth State Great Khural adopted 89 new laws, made amendments to 336 laws. The parliament also ratified 38 international treaties and conventions as well as repealed 50 laws.
2008–2012 The 5th State Great Khural had 7 standing committees and 11 subcommittees. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (46), The Democratic Party (27), The Civil Will Party (1) 8 The Green Party (1) and 1 independent won the seats in the parliament. For 5 months (May to September, 2008), Danzangiin Sandang-Ochir was the Chairman of the Secretariat. The elected chairman was Damdiny Demberel (MPRP), and the second Chairman of the Secretariat was Tserenkhuugiin Sharavdorj (MPRP).
The 5th State Great Khural adopted 111 new laws and made amendments to 485 laws. The parliament also ratified 59 international treaties and conventions as well as repealed 70 laws.
2012–2016
For the first time, the 2012 parliamentary election was held using a mixed electoral system, which combined plurality block voting and proportional representation. 48 seats were elected directly from 26 multi-member constituencies and 28 seats by closed list proportional representation.
The 6th State Great Khural had 8 standing committees and 10 subcommittees. The Democratic Party (34), The Mongolian People's Party (26), The Justice Coalition of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party – The Mongolian National Democratic Party (11), The Civil Will–Green Party(2), and 3 independents won seats in the parliament. The elected chairman was Zandaakhuugiin Enkhbold (DP), and the Chairman of the Secretariat was Byambadorjiin Boldbaatar (DP).
Also for the first time in Mongolia, electronic voting machines were used for voter registration, vote counting and monitoring purposes.
2016–2020 The law on the amendments to the election law was adopted by the parliament in May 2016 and as a result, the 2016 election was held under a first-past-the-post system in 76 single-mandate constituencies.
The 7th State Great Khural on its first plenary session approved the composition of standing committees which maintained the previous parliamentary structure of 8 standing committees and 10 subcommittees. The Mongolian People's Party (65), The Democratic Party (9), The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (1), and 1 independent won seats in the parliament. Miyeegombyn Enkhbold (MPP) was elected as chairman.
2020–2024 The 8th State Great Khural had 11 standing committees, 11 subcommittees, and 3 temporary committees, one of which was established due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia. The Mongolian People's Party (62), The Democratic Party (11), The Our Coalition (1), The Right Person Electorate Coalition (1) and 1 independent won seats in the parliament. Incumbent Gombojavyn Zandanshatar (MPP) was re-elected as parliamentary speaker.
2024–present Following a constitutional amendment made in July 2023, the number of member of parliament increased from 76 to 126. The 2024 parliamentary election was held using a parallel system, with 78 seats elected from multi-member constituencies and 48 seats elected from closed list proportional representation.
The 9th State Great Khural, the first five-party parliament convened in Mongolia, has 11 standing committees and 5 subcommittees. The Mongolian People's Party (68), The Democratic Party (42), The HUN Party (8), The National Coalition (4) and The Civil Will–Green Party (4) won seats in the parliament. Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan (MPP) was elected as chairman and Barsurengiin Baasandorj (MPP) as Chairman of the Secretariat.
Structure
The State Great Khural is unicameral, and consists of 126 members. With mandate of no less than 57 of total members of the State Great Khural, the parliament shall be considered in existence of its powers. A member of the State Great Khural shall be an envoy of the people and shall represent and uphold the interests of all the citizens and the people. The mandate of a member of the State Great Khural shall begin with an oath taken before the State Emblem and expire when newly elected members of the State Great Khural are sworn in.
Chairman of the State Great Khural
The Chairman is the presiding officer of the State Great Khural.
Vice-Chairman of the State Great Khural The vice-chairman is elected by each caucus formed by the result of an election. They serve a four-year term, but may be relieved or removed of the position, on grounds defined by law, before their term expiration.
Chairman's Council The Chairman's Council consists of the vice-chairman of the State Great Khural, Chairmen of the party caucuses, leaders of parliamentary parties, and Chairmen of standing/temporary committees.
Functions
The State Great Khural has both legislative and oversight power in Mongolia.
Legislative functions The State Great Kural's principal legislative functions include preparing and carrying-out plenary sessions or standing-committee sittings, discussing drafts of laws or other decisions of the State Great Khural, and adopting, passing and resolving processes.
Oversight functions The State Great Khural implements its oversight powers by: hearing reports, presentations and briefings from the Cabinet and other organizations directly accountable to the State Great Khural questioning the Prime Minister, cabinet members and executives of other organizations directly accountable to the State Great Khural, demanding responses of said enquiries, and generating debate of the responses in its sessions