Mongolia’s June 26 presidential election produced no clear winner and an unprecedented second round run-off will now be scheduled between the first and second-placed candidates.

Battulga Khaltmaa (Democratic Party) took 517,478 votes, or 38.1%, and favourite Enkhbold Miyegombo (of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP)), won 411,748 votes, or 30.3%. Third was Ganbaatar Sainkhuu (Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP)), who collected only 2,000 votes fewer than Enkhbold, or 30.2%.

Battulga’s nationalist, populist approach, particularly when it comes to mining-dependent Mongolia’s natural resources and suspicious attitude towards neighbouring China, secured him first place.

Both Battulga and Enkhbold have been battling corruption allegations, while they have been at pains to explain how they would restore Mongolia's economic fortunes. The country grew at more than 17% in 2011 but only notched up 1% GDP growth in 2016.

Enkhbold’s chances at winning were originally predicted to be ahead of Battulga’s victory prospects, however, Enkhbold was partially hurt by a campaign surprise – a three-year-old audio recording in circulation is said to feature him and two MPP colleagues discussing payments for senior government positions. Denying the claims, the MPP insists the tapes have been edited to portray the remarks out of context.

Self-made millionaire and judo star Battulga’s campaign, meanwhile, was not without its own unwelcome troubles. Prior to election day, the MPP accused him of misappropriating mining contracts. He also faces allegations posted on the internet that he has large overseas unstated assets. His campaign has denied all the claims. Battulga appears to have been hurt less by allegations against him than Enkhbold has.

Battulga’s popularity might worry investors more, as he is seeking to reinstate a banking measure that previously caused the country’s IMF-led $5.5bn bailout deal to grind to a halt.

But Enkhbold also faces a dilemma where the bailout is concerned. In order to be accepted into the IMF’s three-year Extended Fund Facility program, the MPP had to backtrack on many general election promises. Its tax rises, meaner social safety net, frozen public-sector wages and raised retirement age all run counter to the manifesto it was elected on.

The overwhelming focus of the candidates on negative campaigning instead of political debates has upset many Mongolians due to a percieved lack of options in this presidential election.

Nevertheless, the stakes are not seen as so high because in Mongolia the parliament controls the government. Even though the president can veto legislative decisions, the parliament can overturn his interventions with a two-thirds majority vote. However, the head of state can also make some key appointments, including the heads of the Independent Authority Against Corruption and the General Intelligence Agency.