South Ossetia registers four candidates for presidential election

Four candidates have been registered for the South Ossetia presidential election scheduled for 18 September. The candidates include acting President Marat Kambolov, who is considered a frontrunner, Zurab Kokoyev of the Unity party, Murat Valiev of the Patriots of Alania party, and Kazbek Kodoyev. The election follows the June resignation of former President Alan Gagloev, who reportedly moved to a role as an adviser in the Kremlin.

The Central Election Commission rejected the registration of Khokh Chochiev, leader of the Iry Farn party, citing insufficient knowledge of the state language and legal deficiencies in his documentation. Chochiev has characterized the election as a sham.

Local residents have identified several critical issues facing the region ahead of the vote, including population decline, high unemployment, low wages, and rising prices. Other concerns raised include poor public transport, environmental issues, and long queues at customs checkpoints.