2017 South Ossetian name change referendum

A referendum on changing the territory's name was held in South Ossetia on 9 April 2017, alongside presidential elections.[1] It was approved by 79.53%. The constitution will be amended to denominate the formal name of the country from "Republic of South Ossetia" to "Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania", referencing Alania, a state built by the Alan people.[2] Modern Ossetians are descended from the Alans, although the name Ossetian is of Georgian origin (although the Georgian root word ოსი is itself from an Alanic autonym).[2]

2017 South Ossetian name change referendum
9 April 2017 (2017-04-09)
Do you agree with the amendment of part 1 of article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia, setting it out as follows:

The Republic of South Ossetia - the State of Alania - is a sovereign democratic legal state created as a result of the self-determination of the people of the Republic of South Ossetia.

Names Republic South Ossetia and the State of Alania are equivalent.
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 25,123 79.53%
No 6,466 20.47%
Valid votes 31,589 94.49%
Invalid or blank votes 1,842 5.51%
Total votes 33,431 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 41,814 79.95%
Politics of South Ossetia
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Parliament of South Ossetia
Chairman
Alan Tadtaev
Political parties
Elections
Administrative divisions
  • First level: Four Raions
  • Second level: Towns / cities
Foreign relations
Diplomatic missions of / in South Ossetia

Background

In a move towards integration with the Russian Federation, South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov proposed in December 2015 a name change to "South Ossetia–Alania", in analogy with "North Ossetia–Alania", a Russian federal subject. Tibilov furthermore suggested holding a referendum on joining the Russian Federation prior to April 2017, which would lead to a united "Ossetia–Alania".[3] In April 2016, Tibilov said he intended to hold the referendum before August of that year.[4][5] However, on 30 May, Tibilov postponed the referendum until after the presidential election due in April 2017.[6]

Results
Position Votes %
For25,12379.53
Against6,46620.47
Invalid/blank votes1,842–
Total33,361100
Registered voters/turnout41,81479.78
Source: South Osetia

References
  1. Tskhinvali Sets Date for Presidential Polls Civil, 18 January 2017
  2. Fuller, Liz (8 February 2017). "South Ossetia Referendum On Name Change Steers Clear Of Thornier Unification Issue". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  3. "Breakaway Tskhinvali proposes name change". Agenda.ge. December 29, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  4. "South Ossetia profile – BBC News". Bbc.com. 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
  5. "President: South Ossetia plans to hold referendum on becoming part of Russia before August". TASS. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  6. Fuller, Liz (2016-05-30). "South Ossetia Postpones Referendum On Accession To Russian Federation". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
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