Mongolians cast their ballots

Mongolian herder, Suren Tsevelmaa, takes a break from her usual chores to vote in Thursday's parliamentary election.

Thirteen parties are in the fray.

Electronic voting has debuted in this village polling station.

Officials hope this will speed up counting and also discourage claims of inaccuracy which sparked violence in the last elections.

Issues such as social equality, corruption and how to share profits from the mining industry are top priority for many voters.

Tsevelmaa's vote, like that of many herders, was strongly swayed by pledges to control the country's booming mining sector which could threaten their livlihood.

SOUNDBITE: HERDER, SUREN TSEVELMAA (Mongolian) SAYING

"I think they shouldn't let there be so much mining. I hear a lot about digging all over the grasslands. I want them to keep this country safe and protect the natural environment,"

Some voters feel foreign firms have too much control over the exploitation of huge new reserves, mainly serving energy hungry neighbour, China.

SOUNDBITE: 20-YEAR-OLD STUDENT ENKHTUVSHIN URANBILEG (Monglian) SAYING:

"We get a lot of information on the internet about Mongolian mineral resources being sold to foreigners, particularly to the Chinese, and young Mongolians are getting very angry about it. I want this problem to be solved in a way that benefits Mongolians,"

The ballot result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning local time.

Masako Iijima, Reuters