TSKHINVAL, June 08 /ITAR-TASS/. Parliamentary elections in the Caucasian republic of South Ossetia can be proclaimed valid as the voter turnout exceeded the barrier of 50%. As of 18:00 Moscow time, the voter turnout was 50.46%, chairperson of the republic’s Central Elections Commission Bella Pliyeva said on Sunday.
According to Pliyeva, the central election commission had received no reports about serious violations of voting procedures. International observers, who had arrived from 12 countries, including Russia, India, Germany, the United States, Israel, France and South Africa, reported no serious violations either.
Meanwhile, the European Union does not recognize the legitimacy of the Sunday parliamentary elections in the Caucasian republic of South Ossetia, according to a statement by a spokesperson of the European External Action Service circulated on Sunday.
"The European Union supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, as recognized by international law. In view of the reports about the elections in the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia on 8 June, we recall that the European Union does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework within which these elections have taken place," the statement said.
The 34-seat South Ossetian parliament is elected for a term of five years under the proportional system. Nine parties are vying for parliamentary seats. To have a parliament representation, a party needs to get over the seven-percent barrier.