Disputed election in South Ossetia

13/11/11 06:33 CET

world news

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Voters in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia go to the polls on Sunday to choose a new leader.

In all, 11 candidates are campaigning to succeed Eduard Kokoity, a former wrestler who has dominated politics in the region for the past 10 years.

Whoever wins will only be recognised as president by Russia and a number of smaller states. The West considers South Ossetia to be an integral part of Georgia.

The enclave, which broke away from Georgia after a war in 2008, has a population of around 70,000. The Georgian regime says South Ossetia is occupied by Russia and that the election is illegal.

The favourite to win the poll is thought to be Anatoly Bibilov. He is openly backed by the Kremlin as well as Kokoity who is not allowed to stand for another term.

More about: Georgia, Independence, Presidential elections, Russia

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