Russian occupied separatist South Ossetia of Georgia held snap elections on 18 September 2026 for the so-called presidency, triggered by the transfer in June of incumbent president Alan Gagloyev the Kremlin to become adviser to Russian president Vladimir Putin. The chain of events started in May 2026, when Russia and South Ossetia signed a new integration treaty.
The Kremlin then sent Russian-Ossete Marat Kamborov to South Ossetia under the pretense of guiding the implementation of the treaty. But in reality he was the new man to run the proxy-republic. The subsequent developments unfolded according to a Kremlin-playbook scenario of a managed transfer of power. In this way the Kremlin ensured a smooth transfer of power. And an increased grip over the Georgian region that can be seen as sealing annexation without the de jure act for that.
For appearances sake, three other candidates ran in the snap election. According to the results the authorities released, Kambolov received 85 percent of the votes, a victory that was written in the wall. It was also the largest victory since the 2006 election. The international community, with the exception of Russia and its friends, does not recognize the election.
1. Background
On 9 May 2026 Russia and the separatist government of South Ossetia signed the “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation”. This is a successor to the integration pact of 2015. The treaty aims for further economic integration, especially in the energy, transport, and telecommunications sectors. At the same time it strives to converge legislation, expanding cooperation in education, culture, and health. This was all not really new and basically an extended continuation of standing practice as result of the 2015 treaty.1Jamestown Foundation, Mamie Powers, 26 June 2026, South Ossetia and Russia Make Further Steps Toward Annexation.
Separatist president Alan Gagloyev said the new treaty “will be the beginning of the [re]unification of the Ossetian people”. Successive separatist governments frequently expressed the desire to merge with the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in Russia, joining the Russian Federation. A few days after Russian president Putin ratified the treaty,2RES Agency, 25 May 2026, Владимир Путин подписал закон о ратификации договора с Южной Осетией. Gagloyev appointed Marat Kambolov as his adviser to oversee the implementation of the treaty. 3RES Agency, 27 May 2026, Марат Камболов назначен государственным советником президента Южной Осетии. As a Russian Ossete, Kambolov had no direct ties with South Ossetia and served Russian institutions for decades.
A focal point of attention was that the new treaty allows for Russian citizens to hold official positions in South Ossetia. This enables the Kremlin to place its officials in the South Ossetian government. As a Russian citizen lacking a South Ossetian “citizenship”, Kambolov is eligible to hold official positions under the new treaty. However, some alleged there is a South Ossetian legal obligation high level officials should have resided in South Ossetia for at least the previous ten years.
See also my article "Ruslands stille annexatie van Zuid-Ossetië" on Platform Raam (in Dutch).
1.1 The backdoor
The corrupted and clan-based politics in South Ossetia dissatisfied the Kremlin for a longer period of time. Also, the lack of economic performance, despite financial injections, was a source of dissatisfaction. Consequently, installing an outsider in the proxy-leadership with strong ties to Russian institutions was a logical step to tighten control over the governance of the region. Commenters anticipated the Kremlin wanted to replace Gagloyev. Moving Kambolov into position as his adviser was the first step to achioeve that.4Radio Tavisupleba (RFE/RL), 28 May 2026, ვინ არის მარატ კამბოლოვი, რომელსაც კრემლში გაგლოევის სავარაუდო შემცვლელად განიხილავენ?
The Kremlin sent Kambolov to South Ossetia amidst a corruption scandal involving the government of Gagloyev. The prime minister and his deputy allegedly siphoned roughly 89 million dollar (7 billion rubles) from a loan by a Russian bank that was destined for the Souh Ossetian authorities.5JAM News, 17 June 2026, Kremlin-backed politician emerges as South Ossetia’s new prime minister and potential presidential contender. Russia’s impatience became clear with the resignation on 8 June 2026 of the cabinet of ministers of South Ossetia. This sped up the process of installing Kambolov in the leadership.6Radio Tavisupleba (RFE/RL), 8 June 2026, ოკუპირებული ცხინვალის “პრემიერად” გაგლოევი მარატ კამბოლოვს წარადგენს – მას კრემლში გაგლოევის სავარაუდო შემცვლელად განიხილავენ.
The same day, Gagloyev designated Kambolov as new prime minister, with parliament agreeing to this a week later. In his speech Kambolov emphasized the need for South Ossetians to unite.7RES Agency, 16 June 2026, Парламент Южной Осетии единогласно одобрил кандидатуру Марата Камболова на должность председателя правительства. However, Kambolov’s appointment was in violation of South Ossetia’s own constitution, as he did not comply with the 10-year residency.8OC Media, 16 June 2026, North Ossetian Marat Kambolov appointed South Ossetian Prime Minister. Which of course is not be a problem at all: just bend the rules.
1.2 Take-over
On 23 June 2026 Gagloyev resigned as president, after Putin made him his adviser a day earlier to facilitate the implementation of the Russo-South Ossetian treaty.9OC Media, 23 June 2026, South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev resigns10RES Agency, 23 June 2026, Владимир Путин назначил Алана Гаглоева своим советником: что известно. Gagloyev’s transfer to Moscow promoted prime minister Kambolov to the “head of state” as acting president, in line with the South Ossetian constitution.
Despite his ethnic Ossetian background, Kambolov is the first Russian born, raised, educated and established citizen, a real Russian official, to lead the separatist republic of South Ossetia. Russia does not need a de jure annexation, it has politically annexed South Ossetia already.
Gagloyev said upon his resignation the new treaty with Moscow “will help the Ossetian people become united again”. According to him “it will be an important step towards the reunification of South and North Ossetia”. To merge with the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in Russia, and thus joining the Russian Federation. He added, “today, our task is to make our cherished dream come true—to overcome the fate of a divided people and reunite with North Ossetia, to reunite with Greater Russia”. The emphasis on re-union by Gagloyev is a historic falsehood, as both territories have never been one (administrative) entity.
2. Election Organization
The South Ossetian constitution stipulates that elections should take place within 90 days of an early resignation. The parliament agreed on 1 July 2026 to set the date for 18 September 2026.11Civil Georgia, 2 July 2026, ‘Presidential Vote’ Set for September 18 in Occupied Tskhinvali12RES Agency, 2 July 2026, The South Ossetian Parliament has set a date for early presidential elections. Parliament set the date with a unanimous vote of 29 of the 34 members participating. The election coincides with the first day of the Russian Duma elections. Ordinarily, South Ossetia holds elections on a Sunday. However, Sunday 20 September was not suitable as it is a public holiday celebrating the declaration of sovereignty from the Georgian soviet republic in 1990.
Upon setting the election date, the election formalities were triggered and the so-called central election commission headed by Emilia Gagieva had their first meeting on 2 July 2026.
The CEC formed six district election commissions, one in each of the rural districts Tschinvali, Leningor (Akhalgori), Dzau (Java) and Znaur, and for the cities Tskhinvali and Kvaisa. Each commission counted seven people.13RES Agency, 8 July 2026, ЦИК образует шесть территориальных комиссий к выборам президента Южной Осетии For oversight the CEC assigned two central election commission members to each election district .14RES Agency, 20 July 2026, ЦЦИК Южной Осетии утвердил порядок публикации агитации и финансовой отчетности.
2.1 Polling stations
Initially, the CEC planned a total of 72 polling stations.15RES Agency, 8 July 2026, 72 polling stations will be opened in South Ossetia for the presidential elections: Central Election Commission This was later reduced by the CEC to 70, as the number of voters in some villages of the Leningor (Akhalgori) district was too low. The voters for polling stations in Antonykau (Tskhiloni) and Tsold(a) were redistributed to Monaster (#54) and Zakkor (#55) respectively. 16RES Agency, 20 July 2026, ЦЦИК Южной Осетии утвердил порядок публикации агитации и финансовой отчетности. This district used to have a majority of ethnic Georgians, but it reportedly suffered from depopulation in recent years. The downscaling of polling stations compared with previous elections essentially confirmed this development.
The polling stations were distributed in respective election districts: 19 in Tskhinvali city (blue in map below), 15 in Tskhinvali district (green), 12 in Dzau/Java district (red), 9 in Znaur district (orange), 9 in Leningor/Akhalgori district (pink) and 6 in Kvaisa city (yellow). The latter election district was not limited to the city itself, as it is very small, but contained surrounding villages as well.17RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Все избирательные участки открылись в штатном режиме, в списках свыше 26 тысяч граждан – Эмилия Гагиева.
Abroad
Additionally, the CEC opened five polling station in Russia, namely in the North Ossetian cities Vladikavkaz (2), Alagir and Kambileevsky, and in the Russian capital Moscow.18RES Agency, 29 July 2026, В России откроют пять избирательных участков по выборам президента Южной Осетии19RES Agency, 7 August 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии утвердил состав зарубежных участков и распределил бюджет на президентские выборы. The size of the precinct commission (polling station) was set at six by default, but it would count ten members if the precinct has more than 1000 voters.
2.2 Voter lists and ballots
With a resolution adopted by the CEC on 22 August 2026, the total number of ballots was set at 40000, similarly as in previous elections.20CEC, 23 August 2026, Постановление № 98/3 от 22.08.2026 (Resolution No. 98/3 of 08/22/2026 – On approval of the number of ballots for a single electoral district in the early elections of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia scheduled for September 18, 2026). On election day, the CEC stated the main voters list contained 26.639 citizens, adding that “this figure is not final, as additional lists for citizens eligible to vote are being compiled throughout the day“.21RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Все избирательные участки открылись в штатном режиме, в списках свыше 26 тысяч граждан – Эмилия Гагиева.
A remarkable thing to say, as if voters can suddenly pop up like mushrooms. Well, indeed that happened. The CEC stated on the day after the polls that during the election the voter list grew to 41,182 voters, about 14,500 more than declared at the start of voting (+55%).22RES Agency, 19 September 2026, Марат Камболов лидирует на выборах президента после обработки 99 % протоколов.
2.3 Observers
The OSCE does not deploy election observation missions to South Ossetia, even if they are invited (which they are not), as they do not consider these elections legitimate. But as with previous elections, some “international observers” visited the elections upon invitation, to provide a sauce of legitimization. These are typically recruited from the Russian and Russia-friendly orbit. The Russian election commission and Duma also typically send observers. Others include official delegations from the countries recognizing South Ossetia, the “global South”, and individuals from Pro-Russian, socialist or far-right parties or groups in Europe (including from EU-member states).
On election day, the election authorities stated “66 foreign observers from 15 countries” arrived in South Ossetia. They were reportedly from Russia, Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Serbia, Turkey, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.23RES Agency, 18 September 2026, За выборами президента Южной Осетии следят 66 международных наблюдателей из 15 стран — ЦИК.
Foreign propaganda
As in previous elctions, various foreign guests were highlighted in the republic’s propaganda messages. They lyrically described the elections as the most perfect they have witnessed and an example for the world. Among them were Tanzanian MP Selemani Jafo from the ruling party CCM,24RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Наблюдатель из Танзании: удивляет подготовленность избирателей и членов комиссий, а также на порядок голосования. Smart Deke from Zimbabwe, affiliated with ZANU-PF and former head of the national judo union, and the German Christian Wagner, an editor for Apolut.net, which is described as an outlet distributing RT content.25RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Южная Осетия – страна с большим потенциалом: наблюдатель из Германии оценил ход выборов.
Other foreign observers included Belarusian pro-government journalist Alexei Dzermant,26RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Наблюдатель из Беларуси: на выборах в Южной Осетии отмечается высокая активность избирателей. and Cairo Amador Arrieta, the Vice-President of the Supreme Electoral Council of Nicaragua. The EU put him on the sanctionlist years ago.27RES Agency, 18 September 2026, «Парадокс демократии»: наблюдатель из Никарагуа Кайро Амадор о выборах в Южной Осетии.
According to earlier reporting, there were also visitors from Argentina, Bulgaria and India. From Russia here were delegations from the State Duma, the Federation Council and the Central Election Commission.28RES Agency, 18 September 2026, В Цхинвале открылся Международный информационный пресс-центр Центризбиркома Южной Осетии.
2.4 Candidate requirements
The election code requires that candidates have lived permanently in South Ossetia for ten years prior to the election. The authorities made it clear that “periods of permanent residence in the Russian Federation are also included in this [ten year] period”. But this exception was restricted to those who “held state or municipal office or civil service positions in Russia during these periods”.
Other rules include a minimum age of 35 years and the ability to speak the official languages Ossetian and Russian, a rule that was introduced in 2012.29RES Agency, 2 July 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии приступил к подготовке досрочных выборов президента For the latter, the election commission organized linguistic examination of the candidates as part of the qualification process.30RES Agency, 31 July 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии утвердил состав Лингвистической комиссии для кандидатов в президенты. The tests were taken throughout August 2026.
Furthermore, upon acceptance of the nomination of candidates by the central election commission, they had to submit 1750 signatures in their support. This was half of the normal requirement of 3500 as this was a snap election. To guarantee a regionwide support, the candidates had to gather at least 150 signatures from every individual election district (on a total of six).31RES Agency, 13 August 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии завершил прием пакета документов для регистрации кандидатов в президенты.
2.5 Candidate nomination
The election commission set the deadline for candidate registration on 30 July 2026.32RES Agency, 25 July 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии напоминает о дедлайне для выдвижения кандидатов в президенты. Parties with a valid registration can nominate candidates, while independent candidates have to organize a so-called “initiative group”. This is an ad-hoc group of at least 100 citizens with active voting rights that collectively nominate a candidate. The election rules mandated eligible political parties and initiative groups to hold pre-election congresses or meetings to formalize nominations.33RES Agency, 24 July 2026, Выборы-2026: в ЦИК Южной Осетии сообщили график съездов партий и собраний инициативных групп.
3. Candidates
The central election commission deemed 13 registered political parties eligible to nominate candidates, four of which had representation in the parliament.34RES Agency, 8 July 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии назвал партии, имеющие право выдвигать кандидатов на президентских выборах в сентябре. Throughout July 2026 a total of eight people announced their interest to run in the election, with seven submitting their nomination to the election commission. The socialist “Unity of the People” withdrew itself from the election process. Initially, they scheduled a pre-election congress on 29 July. However, on that day they announced their withdrawal from the process.35RES Agency, 29 July 2026, Партия «Единство народа» вышла из президентской гонки в Южной Осетии.
3.1 Registration
By the end of the registration period, a total of seven candidates submitted their nomination for the election, but only four were accepted. The following table shows them ordered by announcement or nomination date. One independent candidate did not submit his nomination, after he failed to organize the required meeting.
Registered candidates
| # | Candidate | Born | Initiative Group / Party | Nom. date | Remark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marat Kambolov | 1965 | Initiative Group | 1 July 2026 | Accepted on 16 August 2026 | |
| 2 | Khokh Chochiev | 1990 | Iry Farn | 18 July 2026 | Refused on 20 August 2026 | |
| Oleg Kozaev | Initiative Group | Did not submit nomination | ||||
| 3 | Murat Valiyev | 1989 | Patriots of Alania | 27 July 2026 | Accepted on 23 August 2026 | |
| 4 | Zurab Kokoyev | 1960 | Unity | 29 July 2026 | Accepted on 20 August 2026 | |
| 5 | Fatima Khugaeva | Development Party | 29 July 2026 | Refused on 3 August 2026 | ||
| 6 | Kazbek Kodoyev | 1974 | Initiative Group | 29 July 2026 | Accepted on 22 August 2026 | |
| 7 | Eduard Gabarayev | Initiative Group | 29 July 2026 | Refused on 3 August 2026 | ||
| Status of the registrations: see the candidate description above. | ||||||
Marat Kambolov
The interpretation that “periods of permanent residence in Russia” was included in the scope of the residence requirement, qualified Marat Kambolov for candidacy. Workers of the BTK-4 factory nominated him immediately.
As result, he was the first to get registered as a candidate.36RES Agency, 3 July 2026, Kambolov has become the first candidate for the post of President of South Ossetia. The initiative group was led by Vadim Tedeev, rector of the South Ossetian State University.37RES Agency, 8 July 2026, Инициативная группа по выдвижению Камболова на пост президента подала документы в ЦИК. The CEC accepted the candidacy of Kambolov on 16 August 2026.38CEC, 18 August 2026, Постановление № 96/1 от 16.08.2026 (Resolution No. 96/1 of 08/16/2026 – On the registration of candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia Marat Arkadyevich Kambolov).
Endorsements for Kambolov
In the days after the announcement of his candidacy on 3 July, Kambolov was endorsed by Gagloyev’s Nykhas party,39RES Agency, 6 July 2026, Партия «Ныхас» поддержала кандидатуру Марата Камболова на выборах президента Южной Осетии. the United Ossetia party of former president Bibilov,40RES Agency, 6 July 2026, «Единая Осетия» поддержит Марата Камболова на выборах президента Южной Осетии. and the Communist Party.41RES Agency, 6 July 2026, Компартия войдет в инициативную группу по выдвижению Марата Камболова кандидатом в президенты Южной Осетии. These are three out of the four parties in the parliament. Also former presidents of South Ossetia endorsed Kambolov, such as Leonid Tibilov (president 2012-2017) and Anatoly Bibilov (president 2017-2022).
They emphasized that South Ossetia is at a window of opportunity that should not be missed and that unity is required to seize this.42RES Agency, 7 July 2026, Леонид Тибилов отметил богатый опыт Марата Камболова в государственной и общественной деятельности43RES Agency, 7 July 2026, «Не упустить окно возможностей»: Бибилов призвал поддержать Марата Камболова (“Don’t miss the window of opportunity”: Bibilov called for support for Marat Kambolov). Various other leading stakeholders in South Ossetia endorsed Kambolov as the solution to the region’s problems, such as curbing the emigration of youngsters.44RES Agency, 14 July 2026, Аза Бестаева: Камболов способен создать условия для возвращения молодежи в Южную Осетию.
This all ensured an orchestrated outcome, having all major political and societal stakeholders endorsing Kambolov, with no other prominent competitors. Precisely what the Kremlin likes to see. After all, the 2022 presidential election was quite close between incumbent Bibilov and his Kremlin backed opponent Gagloyev. The required second round was not something the Kremlin anticipated on, even though it would have upheld the appearance of a democratic election.
Kambolovs campaign
In a campaign message on what he achieved in the previous two months, Kambolov indicated that the need for the Nizhny Zaramag border checkpoint with Russia will disappear as North and South Ossetia will be united some day.45RES Agency, 12 September 2026, Камболов: верю, что необходимость в пункте пропуска «Нижний Зарамаг» исчезнет. However, in various messages his priority is more with removing the border checkpoint as a goal, though integration of the economic space and the union state, rather than the unification of both republics. A muffled inidication where the priorities of the Kremlin lie at the moment. Not with full de jure annexation and absorption of South Ossetia in the Russian Federation.
As for the opening of transit routes to Georgia, a frequently raised topic, Kambolov stated that South Ossetia is not ready for that. The security question is more important than the economic benefit such an opening would have, he added.46RES Agency, 12 September 2026, Economic gain cannot outweigh the safety of people: Kambolov on the issue of transit through South Ossetia. It is obvious why this message was translated into English at the propaganda agency RES. However, he proposed a second Russia – South Ossetia road connection with a tunnel through the mountain range is needed, to mitigate road closures due to natural circumstances.47RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Камболов заявил о необходимости построить еще одну дорогу, связывающую Южную Осетию с РФ.
Zurab Kokoyev
On 29 July 2026 the Unity party nominated on their 16th party congress their party chair Zurab Kokoyev as candidate for the election. Kokoyev received 112 endorsements out of 113 votes. The congress of the party counted 128 delegates.48RES Agency, 29 July 2026, Партия «Единство» выдвинула Зураба Кокоева кандидатом в президенты Южной Осетии. The CEC accepted the candidacy of Kokoyev on 20 August 2026.49CEC, 21 August 2026, Постановление № 97/3 от 20.08.2026 (Resolution No. 97/3 of 08/20/2026 – On the registration of candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia Zurab Revazovich Kokoyev).
Unity was the ruling party for two terms in the period 2004-2014, after it oused the Communist Party from power. In 2024 the party raised less than two percent in the parliamentary vote.
Kazbek Kodoyev
An initiative group from Tskhinvali nominated Kazbek Kodoyev on 29 July 2026 as their presidential candidate, with a support of all 119 participants in the meeting formalizing the nomination.50RES Agency, 29 July 2026, Казбек Кодоев единогласно выдвинут кандидатом в президенты Южной Осетии. In his pitch Kodoyev emphasized the special role of strategic partnership with Russia and the need to focus on the republic’s internal development. He prioritized economic development, employment and pension issues. The CEC accepted the candidacy of Kodoyev on 22 August 2026.51CEC, 23 August 2026, Постановление № 98/2 от 22.08.2026 (Resolution No. 98/2 of 08/22/2026 – On the registration of candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia Kazbek Chermenovich Kodoyev).
Kodoyev built his program on three pillars: personnel renewal, a fight against corruption and strengthening the control functions of government structures. In a tv-debate with Kambolov and Valiyev, focusing on social policies, Kodoyev highlighted the demographic crisis as the main threat to the republic’s existence. According to statistics he cited, approximately 500 mostly young people leave South Ossetia every year, leaving behind a growing aging population. This negatively impacts the ability to pay pensions and benefits, he argued. Furthermore, according to him society is fractured, which requires attention by the government.52RES Agency, 28 August 2026, В Южной Осетии прошли первые теледебаты: кандидаты в президенты обсудили социальную политику.
In a televised presentation of candidates on national security and foreign policy, Kodoyev argued the existing security architecture does not work anymore for small entities like South Ossetia. However, he refrained from alluring to unification with Russia. Furthrmore, he spoke proposed specific measures to defend the Ossetian national identity and to preserve the Ossetian language and historical memory.53RES Agency, 12 September 2026, ВТеледебаты в Южной Осетии: безопасность, идеология, внешняя политика.
Murat Valiyev
The political party Patriots of Alania nominated on 27 July 2026 Murat Valiev as their presidential candidate at the party congress. He was endorsed by 121 out of 125 votes.54RES Agency, 27 July 2026, Партия «Патриоты Алании» выдвинула кандидата в президенты и избрала нового председателя. The CEC accepted the candidacy of Valiyev on 22 August 2026.55CEC, 23 August 2026, Постановление № 98/1 от 22.08.2026 (Resolution No. 98/1 of 08/22/2026 – On the registration of candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia Murat Nikolaevich Valiyev).
During a tv-debate with Kambolov and Kodoyev, focusing on social policies, Valiyev emphasized that “the root of evil lies in systemic economic errors and high levels of corruption”. His priorities are attracting investment, combating unemployment with legislative changes and the introduction of social benefits for families with children.56RES Agency, 28 August 2026, В Южной Осетии прошли первые теледебаты: кандидаты в президенты обсудили социальную политику.
Valiyev works in the local KGB and pitched for a united Ossetia. In an ambiguous message party leader Dzambolat Tedeev emphasized their support for acting president Kambolov. During their third congres the party also elected Tedeev as new chairman, as well as a new council, which includes Alan Alborov, the former chair of parliament and founder of the Nykhas party.
Khokh Chochiev
On 17 July 2026, the political party Iry Farn (Иры фарн, “Soul of Ossetia”) announced the nomination of their party leader Khokh Chochiev.57RES Agency, 17 July 2026, Two more South Ossetian presidential candidates have announced their intention to run in the elections. At the party congress on 18 July, Chochiev received endorsement votes of 126 members.58RES Agency, 18 July 2026, Партия «Иры фарн» выдвинула Хоха Чочиева кандидатом в президенты Южной Осетии. In the 2024 parliamentary elections the party ended fifth. However, they did not receive enough votes to clear the seven percent threshold.
On 20 August 2026 Chochiev the CEC refused the participation of Chochiev after he failed to meet the requirements, such as the minimum number of signatures as well as the threshold from each district. Also, he did not pass the test of proficiency in Russian language.59CEC, 21 August 2026, Постановление № 97/2 от 20.08.2026 (Resolution No. 97/2 of 08/20/2026 – On the refusal to register candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia, Khokh Chermenovich Chochiev).
Fatima Khugaeva
The Development Party nominated Fatima Khugaeva as their presidential candidate at their party congress on 29 July 2026.60RES Agency, 29 July 2026, «Партия Развития» выдвинула Фатиму Хугаеву кандидатом на пост президента Южной Осетии. Khugaeva is a former lieutenant colonel of the Russian police, working in Kvaisa as the deputy director for military-patriotic education and as a teacher at a school in the town. She received the support of 72 out of 78 delegates at the party congress.
The CEC refused her registration on 3 August 2026 due to document discrepancies, failing to meet the required quorum (100 people),61RES Agency, 3 August 2026, «ЦИК Южной Осетии принял решения по регистрации представителей кандидатов на пост президента. and other violations. Also, the CEC noted she declared she lived only five years in South Ossetia. This is not in compliance with the ten year requirement, while she did not mention she resided in Russia prior to that.62CEC, 3 August 2026, Постановление № 94/5 от 03.08.2026 (Resolution No. 94/3 of 08/03/2026 – On the refusal to register authorized representatives of the political party “Republican Political Party “Development Party” in the early elections of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, scheduled for September 18, 2026).
Eduard Gabarayev
An initiative group nominated Eduard Gabarayev on 29 July 2026 as their presidential candidate. He received unanimous support in the meeting formalizing the nomination.63RES Agency, 29 July 2026, Инициативная группа выдвинула Эдуарда Габараева кандидатом на пост президента.
However, the CEC refused his registration on 3 August 2026 due to various document violations, discrepancies, missing ID information of signatories,64RES Agency, 3 August 2026, «ЦИК Южной Осетии принял решения по регистрации представителей кандидатов на пост президента. as well as failure to meet the required size of the initiative group of at least 100 citizens with voting rights.65CEC, 3 August 2026, Постановление № 94/5 от 03.08.2026 (Resolution No. 94/5 of 08/03/2026 – On the refusal to register the initiative group of voters to nominate Eduard Inalovich Gabaraev as a candidate for the post of President of the Republic of South Ossetia, as well as its authorized representatives).
Oleg Kozayev
Independent MP Kozayev announced on 17 July 2026 his participation through an initiative group, as third person to do so. He attempted to participate in the 2012 presidential election, but was refused as he failed a linguistic exam.66RES Agency, 17 July 2026, Two more South Ossetian presidential candidates have announced their intention to run in the elections. On 19 July 2026, the formal meeting for the nomination was supposed to happen, but it was postponed with a week. The rescheduled meeting was cancelled as well.67RES Agency, 25 July 2026, В Южной Осетии инициативная группа в поддержку Олега Козаева вновь перенесла свое собрание. The election authorities did not receive the formal nomination of Kozayev before the deadline and as such he was not considered by the CEC.
4. Polling
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) did a telephone survey with 400 participants in early September 2026. Sputnik South Ossetia presented this to paint the desired picture. The survey indicated Marat Kambolov is by far the most supported candidate with 79 percent, with a margin of error of two percent. Remarkably, the “against all” option was second most popular with 6.7 percent. As result, the other three candidates polled in the margins: 6.5% (Valiyev), 2.1% (Kodoyev) and 1% (Kokoyev). The survey even estimated the “invalid ballots”, at four percent. Just so you know what to expect.68RES Agency, 11 September 2026, Марат Камболов наберет на президентских выборах 79% голосов – гендиректор ВЦИОМ. The predicted turnout was 71 percent, which is above the 50 percent threshold of validity.
Another survey among 908 citizens indicated that low income and unemployment were the main challenges for them.69RES Agency, 11 September 2026, Жители Южной Осетии назвали низкие зарплаты и безработицу главными вызовами.
5. Election day
Polling started at 8:00 am and closed at 20:00. The local rules stipulate a minimum turnout of fifty percent for the elections to be “valid”. Reportedly, at 12:00 noon the turnout was 40.6 percent (10,933 voters).70RES Agency, 18 September 2026, ЦИК Южной Осетии огласил первые данные о явке на выборах президента. At the reporting moment of 16:30, the election was declared valid with an overall turnout of 62.6 percent.71RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Выборы президента Южной Осетии состоялись — ЦИК. After the polls closed, the central election commission said they did not receive a single complaint.72RES Agency, 18 September 2026, В ЦИК Южной Осетии заявили об отсутствии жалоб в день голосования.
In the first preliminary release at 11 pm on election day, with around forty percent of the precincts counted, Marat Kambolov was by far in the lead with 88.2 percent of the votes and was on track to win the election uncontested in a single round.73RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Явка 73,2% и лидерство Марата Камболова: ЦИК Южной Осетии обработал 40% протоколов. As result, the other three candidates played no part between one and four percent of the vote. According to the CEC the turnout was 73.2 percent, which was in line with other election cycles, and certainly not excessively high as propaganda messages framed it. Shortly afer that, Kambolov claimed victory.
| Reported turnout and number of registered voters | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-09 12:00 |
18-09 16:30 |
18-09 23:00 |
19-09 14:00 |
19-09 19:00 |
|||||||
| Cast ballots | 10,933 | 40.6% | 19,030 | 62.6% | ? | 73.2% | 32,083 | 77.9% | 32,869 | 83.6% | |
| Voterlist | 26,639 | 30,400 | 41,182 | 39,768 | |||||||
| Sources: 16:30;74RES Agency, 18 September 2026, Выборы президента Южной Осетии состоялись — ЦИК. | |||||||||||
Magic votes and juggling
By 2 pm the next day, with 99 percent of the votes counted, Kambolov was still by far in the lead with 85 percent. The CEC indicated the total number of voters on the voter list was now 41,182 (compared to 26.639 at the start of election day), of which 32,083 voted. Out of the blue, the turnout increased from 73 percent to 78 percent.75RES Agency, 19 September 2026, Марат Камболов лидирует на выборах президента после обработки 99 % протоколов.
Then, in the evening of 19 September the CEC adopted a resolution, which confirmed the victory of Kambolov. He recieved 84.95 percent of all votes.76CEC, 21 August 2026, Постановление № 104/1 от 19.09.2026 (Resolution No. 104/1 of September 19, 2026). According to the adopted summaries and protocols by the CEC, the total number of voters on the voting lists now amounted to 39,768, which was 1400 voters less than indicated earlier on the day. However, the number of cast ballots increased with nearly a thousand to 32,869. The two dynamics caused the turnout to increase once more, to 83.6 percent – a record since 2006.
6. Results
A summary of the election results according to the final protocol released on 19 September 2026. The central election authorities slated inauguration of Kambolov for 30 September 2026.77RES Agency, 21 September 2026, The South Ossetian CEC announced the presidential inauguration date.
Election result
| Candidate | First round | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |||
| 1 | Marat Kambolov | 27,922 | 84.9 | |
| 2 | Murat Valiyev | 1257 | 3.8 | |
| 3 | Kazbek Kodoyev | 828 | 2.5 | |
| 4 | Zurab Kokoyev | 488 | 1.5 | |
| Against all | 1610 | 4.9 | ||
| Total valid votes | 32,105 | |||
| Invalid and blank votes | 764 | 2.3 | ||
| Total cast votes | 32,869 | 100 | ||
| Registered voters and turnout | 39,768 | 82.6 | ||
| Sources: CEC final election protocol;78CEC, 19 September 2026, Результаты голосования на досрочных выборах Президента РЮО (Results of the early presidential elections in the Republic of South Ossetia). | ||||
7. Response in South Ossetia
South Ossetian commenters, such as political scientist and head of the presidential administration’s information and analysis department, Yuri Vazagov, noted the election represented a new chapter in the history of South Ossetia. According to him the campaign focused on the development of the republic, touching on important social-economic needs of the population.79RES Agency, 20 September 2026, Результаты выборов показывают сохранение широкого запроса на дальнейшее укрепление связей с Россией — Вазагов.
Mira Tskhovrebova, deputy-speaker of the fifth parliament (2009-2014) concluded that “an overwhelming majority of votes [for Kambolov], once again confirmed [the citizens] will to join Russia and their vision of a future under the auspices of their great ally”. She also reflected on the missed opportunities in the previous 18 years, since the “republic received international recognition”, for effective state-building “on our own”. She criticized the previous leaderships, which “lacked a consolidated management team capable of implementing large-scale development goals”.80RES Agency, 20 September 2026, Р=Мира Цховребова: победа Марата Камболова — это торжество веры в неразрывное единство с Россией.
8. Georgian and international response
The Georgian government denounced the election as “contrary to the fundamental norms and principles of international law. It cannot confer legitimacy on the occupation regime and does not alter the international legal status of the Tskhinvali region as an integral part of Georgia”.
“The conduct of any so-called elections in the occupied territories of Georgia amid the Russian Federation’s military occupation and effective control, in circumstances where internally displaced persons and refugees are denied the opportunity to return safely and with dignity to their homes, is illegal and cannot produce any legal effect under international law.”
The government also condemned the illegal opening and operation of polling stations in the region for the Russian State Duma elections, which “constitute yet another gross violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a further clear manifestation of the Russian Federation’s policy directed towards the de facto annexation of Georgian regions.”81Civil Georgia, 19 September 2026, Kambolov ‘Wins’ Occupied Tskhinvali’s ‘Presidential Vote’ As Tbilisi, West Condemn.
Foreign critical response
The election was declared “null and void” by the European Union on election day, while other western governments, such as the United Kingdom and Norway, denounced the election in similar words as a violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity.82Civil Georgia, 19 September 2026, Kambolov ‘Wins’ Occupied Tskhinvali’s ‘Presidential Vote’ As Tbilisi, West Condemn. Also, Russia’s clear attempt of further annexation was heavily criticized as a violattion of international law, running counter o peaceful conflict resolution.83Council of the EU, 18 September 2026, Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the so-called Presidential elections in the occupied breakaway region of South Ossetia.
In the region, Azerbaijan denounced the election in support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.84Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Azerbaijan, 21 September 2026, No:365/26, Statement on the so-called “Presidential elections” held in the Tskhinvali region of Georgia. Armenia however, refrained to comment.
Congratulations
Kambolov received congratulations from Russian president Putin,85Kremlin, 19 September 2026, Greetings to Marat Kambolov on his election as President of the Republic of South Ossetia. other Russian officials, and the leader of the Transnistrian separatist authorities.86RES Agency, 19 September 2026, Гордая Алания продолжит путь самостоятельного развития во главе с Маратом Камболовым — Красносельский.
9. Appendix
1. Precincts
| # | Precinct | Reg. voters |
Cast votes |
Valid votes |
Invalid votes |
Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | % | % | ||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||