# South Ossetia presidential election

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-ossetia-presidential-election
> Updated: 2026-09-19T12:09:26.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Following the June resignation of former President Alan Gagloev, South Ossetia prepared for a presidential election scheduled for September 18, 2026. In late August, the Central Election Commission registered four candidates: acting President Marat Kambolov, Zurab Kokoyev, Murat Valiev, and Kazbek Kodoyev. The commission rejected the registration of Khokh Chochiev, leader of the Iry Farn party, due to documentation deficiencies and insufficient knowledge of the state language; Chochiev described the election as a “sham.”

On September 19, preliminary results indicated that Marat Kambolov won the election with approximately 85% of the vote, while opponents received single-digit percentages. Voter turnout was reported between 73% and 78%. Kambolov, a former Russian federal official originally from the Russian republic of North Ossetia, has no prior personal ties to South Ossetia. He previously served as the region’s prime minister following Gagloev’s transition to an advisory role for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The election outcome drew conflicting international responses. The Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the results, with President Putin congratulating Kambolov and framing the outcome as a mandate for “closer ties and political stability” following a May 2026 treaty aimed at deepening defense, security, and energy cooperation. Conversely, Georgia and Western partners, including the EU, UK, and Norway, condemned the process. Tbilisi maintains that South Ossetia is an integral part of Georgia and views the election and the cooperation treaty as attempts at “de facto annexation by Russia.”

## Claims

- Marat Kambolov won the South Ossetia presidential election with approximately 85% of the vote. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The voter turnout for the election was between 73% and 77.91%. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Marat Kambolov's opponents received single-digit or low single-digit percentages of the vote. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Marat Kambolov is a former Russian federal official from North Ossetia with no prior personal ties to South Ossetia. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The election followed the resignation of former president Alan Gagloev, who became an adviser to Vladimir Putin. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the election results show a desire for stability and closer ties with Russia. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- South Ossetia and Russia signed a treaty in May 2026 to deepen cooperation in defense, foreign policy, security, and energy. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Georgia and its Western partners condemned the election, stating it violates international law. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: Marat Kambolov wins South Ossetia presidential election

Former Russian official Marat Kambolov has won the South Ossetia presidential election with roughly 85% of the vote. The result is welcomed by Moscow but condemned by Georgia and Western partners.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marat-kambolov-wins-presidential-election-in-south-ossetia

### 2026-08-25: South Ossetia registers four candidates for presidential election

Four candidates, including acting President Marat Kambolov, are registered for South Ossetia’s September 18 presidential election amid local concerns over unemployment and economic instability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-ossetia-registers-four-candidates-for-presidential-election

---
Cite as: South Ossetia presidential election. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-ossetia-presidential-election