2017 South Ossetian presidential election

Presidential elections were held in South Ossetia on 9 April 2017 alongside a referendum on changing the official name of the state to "Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania", or "South Ossetia–Alania" for short.[1] Incumbent President Leonid Tibilov ran for a second and final term in office,[2] but was defeated by Anatoliy Bibilov of the United Ossetia party.

2017 South Ossetian presidential election

9 April 2017
 
Nominee Anatoliy Bibilov Leonid Tibilov
Party United Ossetia Independent
Popular vote 17,736 10,909
Percentage 54.80% 33.71%

President before election

Leonid Tibilov
Independent

Elected President

Anatoliy Bibilov
United Ossetia

Background

The date was set by Parliament on 18 January 2017.[2]

Candidates

Disqualified candidates

  • Eduard Kokoity, President of South Ossetia from 2001 until 2011. His candidacy was rejected due to the Central Electoral Commission finding that he did not meet the residency requirements; a candidate must live in South Ossetia for at least nine months of the year in the ten years preceding an election.[3] The decision to disqualify Kokoity led to several protests in Tskhinvali, though the decision was not amended.[4]

Opinion polls

Date Pollster Tibilov Bibilov Gagloyev Against all Undecided
9 April 2017 Election 33.7% 54.8% 10.2% 1.3% 0%
4 April 2017 South Osetia Research Institute 40.7% 23.6% 19.9% 15.8%
2 April 2017 Radio Sputnik 20% 18% 4% 4% 49%

Results

According to an exit poll, Tibilov led with 45.8% of the vote, Bibilov had 36.9% and Gagloyev had 16.8%.[5] However, the final result had Bibilov well out in front with 55% of the vote.

Candidate Party Votes %
Anatoliy BibilovUnited Ossetia17,73654.80
Leonid TibilovIndependent10,90933.71
Alan Gagloyev3,29110.17
Against all4291.33
Invalid/blank votes1,447
Total33,812100
Registered voters/turnout42,45979.63
Source: South Osetia

References

  1. Fuller, Liz (8 February 2017). "South Ossetia Referendum On Name Change Steers Clear Of Thornier Unification Issue". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. Civil Georgia (2017-01-18). "Tskhinvali Sets Date for Presidential Polls". Civil.ge. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  3. Fuller, Liz (9 March 2017). "Former South Ossetian Leader To Appeal Election Ban". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  4. Urs Lenz, Oliver (2017-03-22). "Protests Erupt in South Ossetia as Former President Blocked from Running Again". Eurasianet.org. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  5. Exit poll data: There will be a second round Sputnik, 9 April 2017
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