Election campaigning in South Ossetia has practically not started.

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The Central Election Commission of South Ossetia refused to register Khocha Chochiev as a candidate for the presidency of the republic. Less than a month before the elections, there are practically no campaign materials on the streets, and the media only cover the work of the acting president Marat Kambolov.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on August 13, the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia completed the acceptance of documents for the registration of candidates for the early presidential elections scheduled for September 18. A total of five candidates submitted documents: the leader of the "Iry Farn" party Khocha Chochiev, the leader of the "Unity" party Zurab Kokoev, a candidate from the initiative group of citizens Kazbek Kodoev, a nominee from the "Patriots of Alania" party Murat Valiev, and the acting head of the republic Marat Kambolov. The acting head of South Ossetia Marat Kambolov received a registration certificate, and on August 21, Zurab Kokoev was registered as a candidate .

Less than a month remains until the extraordinary presidential elections in South Ossetia, but there is still no visible election campaigning in the streets of the cities and villages of the republic. On August 21, the day of Zurab Kokoev's registration, the Central Election Commission refused to register Khocha Chochiev. The Central Election Commission provided several reasons for the refusal to Chochiev to the information agency "Sapa". "Firstly, invalid signatures were found in the signature lists. The candidate also provided inaccurate and incomplete information about his income and property. In addition, on August 15, the linguistic commission concluded that Chochiev does not have a sufficient command of the Russian language," the publication writes.

Marat Kambolov was the first to officially start the campaign. Within two days, residents of the city found Kambolov's campaign newspapers at their doors. The first issue of the newspaper is called "Time for Change" and contains the candidate's biography, program, and positive feedback from the residents of South Ossetia about him. About two weeks ago, banners with quotes from famous people appeared on the main street of Tskhinval: Kosta Khetagurov, Dmitry Mendeleev, Igor Kurchatov, Vladimir Putin, and Marat Kambolov. A few days later, the banners with quotes from Marat Kambolov were removed and replaced with others, reports a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Outdoor advertising has not yet touched the election campaign, with only a mention of the elections to the State Duma of Russia. A banner calling to vote for Russian deputies appeared at one of the busiest intersections in the city.

As for the media, Marat Kambolov occupies leading positions in terms of content. The media actively cover his activities as acting president. However, information about Kambolov's activities primarily appears on his personal Telegram channel. Other candidates were mentioned in local media only in connection with their election congresses.

Previously, the lack of electoral activity in South Ossetia was noted by the author of the blog "South Ossetia as it is, was, and could be" on "Caucasian Knot". "In Tskhinval, the nomination of candidates for the presidency of the Republic will continue. Unfortunately, only in Tskhinval, while in the districts and even in the city of Kvaisa, no electoral activity is observed," he wrote.

It is worth noting that after a meeting with Vladimir Putin on June 22, Alan Gagloev was appointed his advisor and announced his resignation from the post of president of South Ossetia. The head of the republic's government Marat Kambolov was appointed as the temporary acting president of South Ossetia. The early presidential elections in South Ossetia are scheduled for September 18. During Gagloev's presidency, the degradation of political and social institutions continued in South Ossetia, and the outflow of the population from the republic reached such proportions that a new presidential candidate was sent from outside, analysts told "Caucasian Knot".

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