It was then when, filled with hopes and a desire for a better life, the people of Kalmykia made their choice for the first time.
Three candidates took part in the pre-election race: President of the Sun Corporation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, General Valery Ochirov and President of the Association of Farmers of Kalmykia Vladimir Bambaev. The main struggle broke out between young entrepreneur Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Valery Ochirov.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who got 65% of the total number of votes, won a landslide victory and became the first publicly elected President of the Republic of Kalmykia.