Four presidential aspirants of South Ossetia have passed today the exam in revealing the state languages level of proficiency. In total, eight people have taken the examination. As reported to IA "Res" by the Central Election Committee, the following applicants have passed a test: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Ossetia to Russia, Dmitry Medoev, the former presidential representative in the RSO Parliament Tarzan Kokoity, the employee of the State Security Service Sergei Pliev and chief bailiff of the Ministry of Justice Sergei Bitiev. Ex-Chairman of the Committee of Transportation Maurice Sanakoev, entrepreneur Oleg Kozaev, Chairman of the Judo Federation Inal Dzukaev and former head of Dzausky district Pavel Kumaritov have not coped with the proposed linguistic committee task.
Another contender - the leader of the Communist Party of South Ossetia, Stanislav Kochiev - did not participate in the today's exam for health reasons. Earlier Kochiev addressed to the CEC with the application to postpone the exam at a later date. The CEC has decided to meet his request and afforded him an opportunity to take the exam until February 28 till 18:00. It should be reminded, February 20, two from among the eight presidential aspirants of South Ossetia passed the exam in revealing the state languages (Ossetian and Russian) level of proficiency. They are: Human Rights Ombudsman David Sanakoev and MP of the IVth convocation Sergei Zasseev. Chairman of the Union of Afghan Veterans in South Ossetia, Murat Guchmazov, MP of the IId and the IVth convocations Kelekhsaev Vladimir, a former chief of the Dzausky District Administration of South Ossetia Ruslan Bagaev, entrepreneurs Anatoly Dzhioev and Rustem Dzhioev, CEO of insurance company "Yugosetsotsstrakh" Felix Bitiev have not coped with the tasks. Thus, 14 applicants dropped out of the presidential race. February 20, Deputy Defense Minister Igor Alborov addressed the CEC with a statement of refusal to participate in elections on March 25. February 18 Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of South Ossetia Yuri Dzitstsoity has been refused the registration as a candidate for President of the Republic - CEC has stated that the subscription lists did not meet the requirements of the election law of the Republic. February 17, former Chairman of the State Committee of Information, Communication and Mass Media of South Ossetia Georgy Kabisov has also announced that he was out of the presidential race. Head of the RSO Chamber of Commerce and Industry Roin Kozaev was also dropped out of the presidential race. Till February 23 CEC is also going to announce its decision of registration the former head of the KGB, Leonid Tibilov as a presidential candidate; February 14 he successfully passed an examination in knowing the state languages.
The CEC will publish the final list of the registered candidates eligible to participate in presidential elections, on February 29. Re-election of the President of South Ossetia is scheduled for March 25. The results of the elections, held November, 27, 2011, were recognized invalid by the Supreme Court of South Ossetia because of the committed violations.
