Anatoly Bibilov, Russia’s failed candidate in last year’s annulled presidential election in the Georgian breakaway province of South Ossetia, announced Monday that he will not take part in a new vote next month.
Bibilov said he made the decision in order to “give our citizens the possibility to get away from the standoff and make their choice in a calm atmosphere,” Bibilov said in reference to the confrontation of his supporters and those of opposition candidate Alla Dzhioyeva in November, RIA-Novosti reported.
In November, the South Ossetian Supreme Court annulled the vote results, which Dzhioyeva was winning, after Bibilov complained of violations. The court set a new election for March 25.
Neglecting the court ruling, Dzhioyeva in November declared herself the winner and rejected a new vote, provoking thousands of her supporters to rally outside elections commission offices and later outside the government building.
In late January, Dzhioyeva and her supporters reiterated that they would not take part in the March election and demanded that she assume control.
In early February, Dzhioyeva called on all presidential hopefuls to drop their bids and recognize her as president.
In November, “it nearly came to bloodshed,” Bibilov said Monday, adding that confrontation “complicates relations with the great Russia and poses a direct threat to our statehood.”
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