The elections for the president of South Ossetia are a feature of democracy and will be a big exam for the people of the republic, the present incumbent, Eduard Kokoiti, told a press conference in Tsinvali before the November 13 polls.
"Even the number of candidates for the country's top post indicates that we are living according to democratic principles," he said.
13 candidates are running for the office on Sunday, when a referendum will also be held on granting the Russian language state language status.
Kokoiti said he saw South Ossetia's future as a prosperous and self-sufficient republic, and told journalists that the international community must acknowledge that they were building an independent, free, democratic state. He expressed confidence that the new government would continue the course of getting other states to recognise South Ossetia, as well as further close relations with the Russian Federation.
Speaking about his own future after relinquishing power, Kokoiti said "I served, I serve and I will serve my people without depending on duties and titles."
