Early returns in the breakaway Georgian region say the Unity party is far in front of three other parties for control of the 34-seat parliament. Voter turnout was high and final results are expected Monday.
Opposition leaders called for an election boycott, accusing Kokoity of stifling dissent and intimidating his critics.
They also accuse Kokoity, a former Russian wrestling champion, of stealing reconstruction money sent by Russia.
Kokoity defended the election, calling it, in his words, "a test of our people's maturity" and "a test of the stability of our democracy."
Agencies
