Results of S.Ossetia ‘Alternative’ Polls Announced

As expected, Dimitri Sanakoev was announced the winner of the alternative presidential elections held by Tbilisi-loyal groups in South Ossetia on November 12.

Sanakoev, who is ex-prime minister of breakaway South Ossetia, received 94% of votes, Uruzmag Karkusov, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) based in the Georgian village of Eredvi in the conflict zone, said on November 16.

The announcement comes a day after the central election commission of breakaway South Ossetia announced Eduard Kokoity as the winner of presidential elections held in the areas under the secessionist authorities? control.

The Eredvi-based CEC also said that in the alternative referendum, 94% of voters cast their ballots for launching peace talks with Tbilisi over creating a unified federal state with Georgia.

According to the Eredvi-based CEC, 96% of about 57 000 eligible voters turned out at the polling stations on November 12.

The Tskhinvali-based CEC claimed that it had about 55 000 eligible voters registered on the eve of the November 12 polls.

The Eredvi-based CEC said it had polling stations even in the areas that are under the secessionist authorities? control, but Tskhinvali has strongly denied this report.

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