MOSCOW, November 14 (Itar-Tass) —— International observers confirmed that the first round of the presidential election in South Ossetia complied election standards.
“According to assessments made by the international observers from Russia, France, Poland, Ukraine, Israel and other countries at a press conference in Tskhinval, the election was held in accordance with the election standards, without serious irregularities,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, November 14.
On November 13, South Ossetia held a presidential election and a referendum on the status of the Russian language. According to preliminary data, the turnout was 67.05 percent.
Anatoly Bibilov is leading with 25.44 percent of votes, followed by Alla Dzhioyeva with 25.37 percent, Vadim Tskhovrebov with 9.88 percent, Alan Kotayev with 9.62 percent, and Dmitry Tasoyev with 9.1 percent.
None of the candidates received a majority of votes. This means that a runoff election will be held not later than 15 days after the announcement of the results of the first round.
According to preliminary data, the majority of people who took part in the referendum – 83.99 percent – voted in favour of making Russian a second official language in the republic.