Polling stations close: exit polls for Tbilisi mayoral race released
Two exit polls predict the second round of elections for Tbilisi mayoral race. Photo:Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Imedi TV, opposition-minded Formula and Mtavari TV channels have released their commissioned exit poll results in today’s municipal elections as of 6 p.m.
The exit poll results are as follows:
Gorbi exit polls commissioned by Imedi TV for Tbilisi mayoral race:
- Kakha Kaladze - ruling Georgian Dream party - 51.3%.
- Nika Melia - United opposition - 34.6%.
- Ex-PM Giorgi Gakharia - For Georgia parry - 5.6%.
Edison Research exit polls commissioned by Formula TV:
- Kakha Kaladze - 43%.
- Nika Melia - 39%.
- Giorgi Gakharia - 7%.
Ipsos exit polls commissioned by Mtavari Arkhi:
- Nika Melia - 40.8%.
- Kakha Kaladze - 40.2%.
- Giorgi Gakharia - 8.7%.
Only the Imedi TV commissioned exit polls say that there will be no need for the second round of elections in Tbilisi.
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and the united opposition are celebrating victory in the local municipal elections based on exit polls commissioned by various TV channels and prior to the official announcement of the results. The GD has addressed their supporters from the stage and congratulated them on the party’s victory.
Georgian Dream Ruling party chairperson Mamuka Mdinaradze has denied rumors about alleged bribe-taking cases at two polling station, claiming that family members handed over money to each other.
A total of 1,815,776 people (51.92 per cent of eligible voters) have cast ballots in the municipal elections as of 8 p.m. today. The Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairperson Giorgi Kalandarishvili thanked everyone for their participation in the elections.
Opposition political party For Georgia founded by the former PM Giorgi Gakharia has declared that it does not trust the results of exit polls commissioned by various TV channels which granted the third place to the party. For Georgia’s representative Ana Buchukuri has stated that the ‘results are not credible enough,’ noting that such results may be due to ‘political bias’ and intimidation of voters.
Municipal elections unlike other elections have majoritarian, proportional and mayoral ballots counting of which requires more time, moreover, overall 43 political parties are registered for this year’s elections which is twice as many as in previous years, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has explained. Referring to the counting, spokesperson of the CEC Natia Ioseliani stated that ‘everything is being done in full compliance with the law.’
A second round of mayoral elections could be needed in five large cities including Tbilisi where the ruling Georgian Dream party candidate Kakha Kaladze is leading. As of 10 a.m. October 3, the results of 360 precincts out of a total of 769 in Tbilisi are: Kakha Kaladze/Georgian Dream – 45.28% and Nika Melia/United National Movement – 34.27%.