Dimitry Medoyev, South Ossetian ambassador to Moscow, has emerged as a new possible leader of the region, after the two most popular candidates both refused to take part March 25.

TBILISI, DFWatch – The situation in Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia ahead of a rescheduled elections is getting more strained day by day.

The region’s state security committee released a statement Wednesday warning of ‘possible provocations by Georgian special services aimed at disrupting the presidential elections.’

Elections are currently scheduled for March 25, after the South Ossetian supreme court annulled the results of last November’s run-off.

“The State Security Committee has reliable data that official Tbilisi, with the support of the West, is actively involved in the process of escalating the political situation in the republic,” the statement reads, and continues saying that Georgia aims to disrupt the elections and call into question the very fact of the sovereignty and independence of South Ossetia.

The two most popular candidates refuse to take part in the upcoming rescheduled election.

Anatoly Bibilov, who by many is assumed to be the Kremlin favorite, supports holding new elections, but thinks it is irresponsible to hold it now, under the current tense circumstances, because it might lead to bloodshed. He is therefore appealing to all candidates to not participate March 25, according to RIA Novosti. But he also made a general statement saying that he supports holding another election to let people make their choice freely and so the elections can be more fair and transparent.

Meanwhile, Alla Dzhioyeva, the opposition leader who clearly beat Bibilov in the second round according to preliminary results is now getting ready for her inauguration on February 10. This is the second time she prepares to swear herself in as leader of the tiny region. This follows two months of on and off protesting, and a number of attempts to negotiate with the other side. The bottom line is that all the terms of a compromise agreement made in December has not been met by the interim leader Vadim Brovtsev, and Dzhioyeva is therefore demanding to have a legal transfer of power to her as elected leader. She calls for supporters to show up for her inauguration on February 10.

Meanwhile, other candidates are registering to participate in the March election. Among prospective new candidate who has appeared is South Ossetia’s ambassador to Russia, who seems to be favored by the Kremlin.

“It was a difficult decision, but it is made. And I will try to justify your trust. We work together to put things in order in our country,” the Russian online media quotes him saying.

Ria Novosti reports that already 12 initiative groups have registered with the so-called Central Election Commission in the Tskhinvali region, working on nominating their candidates.