Mongolian Electoral and Parliamentary Support Project (MEPS) Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Monday, March 27, 2005, 2:39AM

Plans for Cooperation with Women’s Partnership Discussed. In February, IRI held consultations with the organizers of the Women’s Partnership in Politics and Governance about the preparation of activities in 2006 and beyond. with the Women’s Partnership was represented in these discussions by Ms. Delgermaa (Chairwoman of Women’s Organizations of DP), Ms. Altai (Chairwoman of Women’s Organizations of MPRP), Ms. Bazar (Chairwomen of Women’s Organizations of the Civil Will Party) and Ms. Tsetsegmaa (Chairwomen of Women’s Organizations of Motherland Party). O pinions and ideas were exchanged on the activities planned in the framework of IRI Mongolia’s future women’s program. Specific ideas included IRI Mongolia-funded women’s regional trainings, a Women’s Forum Quarterly publication, and a Women’s Fellowship program. Also discussed was the idea of creating a “Women’s Forum” website.

IRI Meets MP to Urge Passage of Ethics Legislation. IRI Consulted with MP Sodnomtseren (DP), Chairman of the SGH Ethics Sub-Committee, and urged passage of the long anticipated ethics legislation pending before the SGH. IRI is also urging Chairman Sodnomtseren to hold open committee hearings, specifically on the draft of the MP's ethics rules once the spring session commences.

Parliamentary Legislative Priorities Discussed. The project discussed IRI’s priority pieces of legislation in the spring session of the SGH with Ambassador Slutz, U.S. Embassy, and USAID officials. These priority pieces include ethics legislation, open committee hearings, public committee meetings, and implementation of recently passed Election Laws.

Mongolian Deputy Foreign Minister Meets IRI President. On 23 February Deputy Foreign Minister Tsolmon met with IRI President Lorne Craner and Vice President Elizabeth Dugan at the IRI Office in Washington.

Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Wednesday, March 1, 2005, 8:10PM

First Open Committee Hearing Held: IRI worked closely with SGH Economic Committee members to help it prepare for Mongolia’s first open committee hearing, which was held on 6 February, 2006 in the SGH. The hearing ws a major step forward for the Parliament in terms of increasing public access to the policy making process. It has also spawned considerable interest among other committee chairs in holding similar hearing in the future. USAID/Mongolia will report in more detail on the hearing, which was devoted to consideration of mining sector policy, in the next issue of the Monitor.

New Election Law and Campaign Finance Discussed: IRI consulted with General Election Commission (GEC) and Voter Education Center (VEC) on the new SGH Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform legislation, which is part of the new law.

Former Minister to Attend World Movement for Democracy Conference: IRI cooperated with U.S. Embassy Office of Public Affairs in arranging for former Foreign Minister Ms. Tuya to attend the World Movement for Democracy (4th assembly) conference in Istanbul in April, 2006.

Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Thursday, January 26, 2005, 4:17AM

US ethics advisors consult with MPs. IRI brought Mr. Bill Somerville, Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly of the State of Maryland, to consult with MPs and GOM officials on pending ethics legislation in the SGH from December 5-9. Mr. Somerville discussed ethics issues with MP's during a seminar-discussion titled "MP's ethics and conflict of interest" at Government House on December 5.

Parliament Speaker vows to pass ethics legislation. Mr. Somerville met with key MPs and Committee Chairs including Parliamentary Speaker Nyamdorj to get support for the pending ethics legislation. Speaker Nyamdorj stated he would support ethics legislation, and predicted that it will be enacted by the SGH.

First open committee hearing organized. On December13, IRI met with Economic Committee Chairman Damiran to discuss details of the first open committee hearing in the SGH that is to be held – with IRI support - on February 6, 2006. On December 16, IRI met with MPs Batbayar, Damiran, and Avdai to discuss the open committee hearing draft procedure suggested by IRI. These draft procedures meet international standards.

Open hearing procedure approved. On 30 December, Open Hearing Procedure was approved by Economic Standing Committee.

Election law approved. IRI Held consultations with the local NGO Voter Education Center and with the General Election Commission regarding proposed changes to the Election Law and the Law on Central Electoral Organs. The amended Election Law was approved by the SGH on December 29.