The South Ossetian Foreign Minister Dmitrii Medoev, heading the executive group on ensuring the holding of the presidential elections in the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia, gave an interview to Res IA where told about the work conducted and the importance of this political event for the Republic.
Q: What has been done by the executive group, you are heading, to ensure the holding of the Russian presidential elections in the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia?
A: The executive group was organized under the Direction of Anatolii Bibilov, the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, dated January 15, 2018, and has been working since its first days. The objective of the executive group is ensuring the holding of Russian presidential elections in the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia. Officers of the Presidential Administration, members of Central Electoral Commission and key Ministries leadership are members of the group. Another assembly of the group, where statements of heads of the South Ossetian regions will be made, is planned to be held in several days.
Q: Less than two weeks is left before the voting. What can you say about the level of electoral preparedness? What challenges have you faced?
A: There were no serious problems. The South Ossetian Central Electoral Commission together with local authorities have solved all issues, related to the forthcoming voting. For the time being we are absolutely ready. The issue of holding Russian presidential election in the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia is taken under special control by the President of the Republic. Several meetings were held by Anatolii Bibilov on this subject. All conditions for free expression of the will of voters will be created throughout the territory of South Ossetia and the constitutional rights of Russian citizens, participating in the voting, will be guaranteed. The authorities of the Republic will make use of all opportunities for that.
Q: Taking into consideration the information provided by the South Ossetian intelligence agencies on Georgian plans to complicate the elections in the territory of the Republic, what measures have been undertaken to maintain security at polling stations, first of all in Leningor region?
A: It is known that more than 360 polling stations approximately in 145 countries will be opened on March 18 during the Russian presidential election. Elections, referendums and other votings always demand reinforced security for holding these major social and political actions. This fact referrers to election of the President of the Russian Federation, which will be held in our country as well. It is no secret that there are persons outside the Republic, interested in interfering with the voting or complicating the election. However, similar attempts are obviously doomed to failure. Law enforcement agencies will take the appropriate measures, which would exclude any provocative actions. This directly concerns Leningor region as well as to other South Ossetian regions.
Q: How do you assess the level of interaction between the executive group and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic and the South Ossetian Central Electoral Commission?
A: The executive group is in close contact with the Embassy of the Russian Federation. At the beginning of our activity we addressed a letter to Marat Kulakhmetov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in South Ossetia, and notified the Russian party on creation of an executive group and expressed readiness for interaction. Cooperation of the Republic of South Ossetia with the Embassy of Russia in preparing for the voting is actively run through the South Ossetian Central Election Commission as well. Chairman of the Commission Bella Plieva is also a member of the executive group, organized by the President. Work is conducted in all directions, the available potential of the Central Electoral Commission and corresponding Government authorities of the Republic, including at level of regional administrations, are involved.
Q: What is the political implication of conducting the Russian presidential election in the territory of South Ossetia?
A: As I’ve already mentioned, the voting will be held in 145 states and South Ossetia is among them. The number of Russian citizens, including the officers of the 4th Military base of the Russian Ministry of Defense and other units residing in our state is big enough. We must ensure the constitutional rights of voters and create the conditions for holding the election at a high level.
Undoubtedly, elections of the Russian President are a major event for the Russian Federation itself and, without any exaggeration, for the whole world as well. On the other hand, the voting outside Russia is regulated by the international legislation, and the Republic of South Ossetia is a rightful subject of this legislation. I would emphasize an important fact. It’s known that the majority of citizens of South Ossetia are Russian citizens as well, and they are legitimately participating in the election of the Russian President. Indeed, it’s a very important fact. That’s why one should understand the special attitude of the South Ossetian authorities to the forthcoming vote.
I can say confidently that the Republic of South Ossetia is interested in holding this presidential election at a high level and will do the utmost to maintain the voting rights of its people, who are residing in the territory of our state or will be present here on the voting day.
In conclusion I would like to avail of this opportunity to ask all the citizens, who have the voting right, to come to the election on March 18, 2018 and fulfill the constitutional duty - give the vote for the President of the Russian Federation!
Источник: http://cominf.org/node/1166515307