South Ossetia’s presidential election is set for a second round run-off after exit polls showed no candidate would win more than 50 percent of the vote.
Anatoly Bibilov, the breakaway Georgian region’s Emergency Minister, has narrowly failed to secure the 50 percent needed to avoid a run-off, exit polls show.
The polls suggested Moscow-backed Bibilov had gained 48.1 percent of votes, with former Education Minister Alla Dzhioyeva trailing on 30.7 percent.
Alan Kotayev, deputy head of the city government in Tskhinval, the region's main city, came third with 5.2 percent.
Current leader Eduard Kokoity, a former wrestling champion who won unrecognised presidential elections in the region in 2001 and again in 2006, has been barred from seeking a third term.
A total of 11 candidates took part in the election.
Georgia said the election was illegal.
Turnout was reported to be over 66 percent by late afternoon. Polls closed at 20:00 Moscow time [16:00 GMT].
