Bibilov appoints referendum on joining Russia on July 17

On May 13, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of South Ossetia approved a package of documents on holding a referendum on joining Russia; and incumbent president Anatoly Bibilov signed a decree on holding the referendum on July 17.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 30, 2022, Anatoly Bibilov announced his intention to hold a referendum on joining Russia, and the next day announced the need for unification with North Ossetia.

Today, the South-Ossetian CEC has concluded that the package of documents submitted by the initiative group for holding the referendum on joining Russia complies with the requirements of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of South Ossetia "On Referendum", the CEC has stated on its website.

At 8:15 p.m. Moscow time, a decree on setting the date for the referendum was posted on the president's website. "I decide: to appoint a referendum of the Republic of South Ossetia on the question: 'Do you support the unification of the Republic of South Ossetia with Russia?' The date for holding the referendum is July 17, 2022," the text of the decree reads. The decree comes into force from the date of signing thereof, the decree states.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 13, 2022 at 08:28 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.