Preliminary results published by the election administration of occupied Tskhinvali late on May 8 shows opposition candidate Alan Gagloev defeating incumbent leader Anatoly Bibilov in the so-called South Ossetian leadership runoff.

Gagloev has received 59.22% (3,686 votes), while Bibilov garnered 37% (2,274 votes). Some 3.79% (236 votes) did cast their ballots against both [18% of precincts counted].

Gagloev, 41, is a former state security committee officer, he chairs “parliamentary” opposition party Nykhas since 2020.