Nov 9 (Reuters) - Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia holds a referendum and presidential election on Sunday to underpin its self-proclaimed independence which is unrecognised internationally.

Here are key facts about the region and the vote:

-- South Ossetia, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, broke away from Georgia in a 1991-92 war which killed several thousand people. It has close ties with the neighbouring Russian region of North Ossetia.

-- The majority of about 70,000 people living in South Ossetia are ethnically distinct from Georgians. They say they were forcibly absorbed into Georgia under Soviet rule and now want to exercise their right to self-determination.

-- A 500-strong peacekeeping force provided by Russia, Georgia and North Ossetia monitor a 1992 truce. Tbilisi accuses Russian peacekeepers of siding with separatists, something Moscow denies. Sporadic clashes between separatist and Georgian forces have killed dozens of people in the last few years.

-- Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili proposed a peace deal under which South Ossetia would be given "a large degree of autonomy" within a federal state. The separatist leaders say they want full independence.

-- Voters will be asked to answer one question at the referendum: "Do you agree that South Ossetia should keep its present status of an independent state and that it should be recognised by the international community?"

-- Four candidates, including incumbent leader Eduard Kokoity, have been registered to run in the presidential polls.

Residents in South Ossetian areas loyal to Tbilisi have refused to take part in the referendum and presidential polls organised by separatists. They will elect their own president on Sunday from five candidates, including former South Ossetian prime minister Dmitry Sanakoyev fired by Kokoity in 2001.

-- There is no official figure of eligible voters in South Ossetia. According to the rules more than 50 percent of registered voters must take part to validate the separatist referendum and presidential poll.

Voting starts at 0500 GMT and ends at 1700 GMT. Preliminary results are expected on Monday. Georgia has refused to recognise the separatist referendum and there will be no Western observers.

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