[4] The European Union,[3][5][6] the United States,[7] and NATO[8] have issued statements saying these organisations consider the elections illegal, and have rejected their results.

It has had de facto independence from central Georgian rule since the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War.

[citation needed] About 100 Russian and international reporters arrived in South Ossetia to cover the event.

For South Ossetian authorities to consider the election valid, the voter turnout would have been at least 50% + 1 vote, and at least two parties would have acquired securing seats in the parliament.

If these criteria hadn't been fulfilled, the South Ossetian legislation provided for a repeat election in four months.