Two exit polls say ruling party endorsed presidential candidate wins race
Both exit polls say that the Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili has won the elections. Photo: N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Imedi TV and opposition-minded Rustavi 2 private broadcasters have released the outcomes of exit polls, both saying that the Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili has won the elections.
The results of Imedi exit polls conducted by the Gallup International:
- Salome Zurabishvili: 57 per cent.
- Grigol Vashadze: 43 percent.
Rustavi 2 exit polls conducted by Edison Research (the figures are as of 5 pm):
- Salome Zurabishvili: 55 per cent.
- Grigol Vashadze: 45 per cent.
This is not official data. The Georgian Central Election Commission will announce official figures tomorrow.
The Georgian Dream party leaders were waiting for the results of exit polls at the headquarters of the party office in central Tbilisi.
The Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili thanked public for the support and vowed that the Georgian Dream government will provide all efforts to justify the trust received today.
He said that both the first and the second round of elections “sent their messages” to the ruling party on what are needed to be done to meet the expectations of the Georgian people.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze congratulated Zurabishvili on the victory and stated that she will be the “worthy president of the country,” not-affiliated with any political party.
1,662,453 voters, accounting for 47.31% of the total number of voters, cast their ballots in the presidential runoff by 5 p.m., three hours before the polling stations will be closed, announces the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze has called upon the United National Movement opposition and the “party affiliated” Rustavi 2 private broadcaster not to try to create an “artificially aggressive environment” on election day.
A total of 688,551 voters, accounting for 19.06% of total number of voters, have cast their ballots in the presidential runoff by 12 p.m., announced the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated after hearing the results of exit polls that “there is no time to waste in celebrating the victory, it is time to work.”
The Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed independent presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili, who based on exit polls has won the election, made her first comment and stated that her ultimate goal will be fighting for the reintegration of lost territories.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia has reported a 56.23 percent voter turnout for the runoff of presidential election in the country following the closing of polling stations at 8pm local time.
The Georgian Central Election Commission has released the final results of the presidential elections. The commission has stated that 100 per cent of votes have been counted. Zurabishvili received 1,147,627 votes, while Vashadze-780,633.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has evaluated the 28 November presidential elections by saying that the country “should not conduct elections in the manner as they were conducted yesterday.”
Winning presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili says that she will visit European states on her first official visits after her inauguration in the role.
OSCE/ODIHR has stated in its preliminary assessments that the second round of Georgian presidential election was competitive and candidates were able to campaign freely. However, one side enjoyed an undue advantage and the negative character of the campaign on both sides undermined the process.
The non-governmental organisation Georgian Young Lawyers Association has asked the Central Election Commission to suspend voting at a polling station in the city of Marneuli following reports of violations during the election process.
Grigol Vashadze, the candidate of the opposition for the presidential election runoff, has reacted to exit poll results by vowing to wait for “final results” of voting and alleging “unprecedented” levels of voter mobilisation by the ruling party.
The US government is looking forward to working with Georgian President-elect Salome Zurabishvili, Robert Palladino, deputy spokesperson of the US Department of State said yesterday.
Georgian Prime Minister has responded to a planned opposition rally on Sunday and stated that if anyone at the manifestation tries to create destabilization, they will be held accountable within the law.
Foreign leaders and countries continue to congratulate Georgian President-elect Salome Zurabishvili on her victory.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has extended his congratulations to Salome Zurabishvili on her election as president of Georgia, and stated that he is looking forward to cooperate closely with her in the future.
Outgoing President Giorgi Margvelashvili waited for the president-elect and first female in the role Salome Zurabishvili outside the Avlabari presidential palace to greet her and invite her inside the building for the discussions.
The US Department of State says that the 28 November Georgian presidential elections went smoothly, but some irregularities took place and should be addressed by the Georgian government.