TSKHINVALI, September 17 – De facto South Ossetia will hold an early presidential election on Friday, nearly three months after its previous leader stepped down to take a job in the Russian presidential administration.
Four candidates are running: acting president Marat Kambolov, Zurab Kokoev of the Unity party, Murat Valiev of the Patriots of Alania party and independent candidate Kazbek Kodoev. A fifth prospective candidate, Khokh Chochiev, was denied registration after election officials said he failed to submit enough valid signatures and did not meet other requirements.
The snap election was triggered by the resignation of Alan Gagloev on June 23. Gagloev said Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered him a position as an adviser in the Kremlin administration, where he would work on implementing a new agreement on closer ties between Russia and South Ossetia. Prime Minister Kambolov then became acting president.
Campaigning ended at midnight on Thursday as the region entered its legally mandated day of silence. Local state news agency RES said campaigning had included four rounds of televised debates.
In the campaign, the candidates focused on economic and social problems. During the first televised debate on August 28, Valiev argued that social improvements depended on reviving the economy and tackling corruption, while Kambolov emphasized education, infrastructure and measures his interim administration had taken with Russian support. Kodoev identified population decline as the biggest threat and called for stronger social support and government oversight.
Kambolov presented his broader election program on Monday. His proposals include increased financing for small and medium-sized businesses, agricultural lending, improvements to schools and healthcare facilities, housing programs and expansion of tourism. He also pledged to continue bringing local salaries closer to Russian levels. Several projects outlined in his program involve funding or cooperation from Russian institutions.
Election authorities say 70 polling stations will operate in South Ossetia, with another five outside the territory, one in Moscow and four in North Ossetia. Some 40,000 ballots have been printed.
For the election to be valid, turnout must exceed 50% of registered voters by at least one vote. A candidate needs more than half of the votes cast to win. The election commission is required to establish the result within five days.
Georgia and most other countries do not recognize the authorities in Tskhinvali and consider the region a part of Georgia.
