Incumbent S. Ossetian President Bibilov lagging behind Nykhas party leader Gagloyev in 1st round of presidential election, both candidates to compete in 2nd round

TSKHINVAL. April 11 (Interfax) - Incumbent South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov is lagging behind Nykhas party leader Alan Gagloyev in the first round of the presidential election, the South Ossetian Central Election Commission (CEC) said in the first official election report on Monday, after 95% of votes had been counted.

"According to the CEC, as 95% of votes are counted, Alan Gagloyev wins 36.9% of the votes (10,705), Anatoly Bibilov gets 33,5%, (9,706), Garri Muldarov gets 8.9%, Alexander Pliyev gets 11.9%, Dmitry Tasoyev gets 2.8%, and 1.8% voters have opposed all candidates," CEC head Emilia Gagiyeva said at a press briefing in Tskhinval.

As none of the candidates gained 50% plus one vote to secure a victory in the first round, there will be a second round of the presidential election in South Ossetia.

Incumbent President Anatoly Bibilov and Nykhas party leader Alan Gagloyev will be competing in the second round.

The voter turnout stood at 28,976.

The date of the second round will be announced two days after the election results are published.

The CEC may publish the final results of the first round tomorrow, in which case the second round will be scheduled for April 24.