A ban on election campaigning before the presidential elections on May 8 came into force in South Ossetia on Saturday.
According to the electoral legislation of the Republic, on May 7 at 00.00 the term for election campaigning, allotted by law, expired, this applies to television and radio broadcasts, all print media, posting leaflets and hanging banners, as well as meetings of candidates with voters. During the period of the pre-election campaign before the re-run of presidential elections, three rounds of debates took place between the candidates on local television.
As the CEC secretary Kristina Avlokhova explained to the IA “Res”, any campaigning is prohibited on the day of silence, only large-sized campaign banners posted before the day of silence will remain hanging in their former places. All polling stations are ready for the day of voting.
Foreign observers from Russia are arriving in the Republic from the State Duma, the Federation Council, the Public Chamber, representatives of Abkhazia, the DPR and the LPR, about 25 people in total. The elections in the Republic will be covered by representatives of Russian and South Ossetian mass media.
Incumbent President Anatoly Bibilov and leader of the Nykhas political party Alan Gagloev entered the second round as candidates for the country's highest post. All candidates are in favor of further strengthening relations with Russia.
A total of 76 polling stations will be opened, of which four will be opened in the capitals of Russia, Abkhazia and North Ossetia, one each in Moscow and Sukhum, and two in Vladikavkaz at the Metallurgist Palace of Culture and the Palace of Youth. According to the CEC, more than 32,000 voters are registered in the Republic, and 40,000 ballots have been printed. The winner will be determined by a simple majority of votes.
For the second round of elections to be recognized as successful, more than 30% of the voters included in the voting lists must take part in the voting. The ballots provide an opportunity to vote against all candidates.
The International Information Center of the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia will begin its work at 9:00 on Sunday, May 8, and all information about the voting process both at the polling stations on the territory of the Republic and abroad will be collected there.
More than 600 employees of the internal affairs bodies will protect public order and the safety of citizens. On May 8 and 9, additional police units will be working on the streets of the capital of South Ossetia.
President of South Ossetia is elected for a term of five years by universal direct secret ballot. Citizens over the age of 18 can take part in the elections.
