“How can I trust polls carried out by Saakashvili himself?”

Nino, translator, 27



“I’m not sure, it could be true. But I think the standings are more like 40 percent for Saakashvili, 20 percent for Gachechiladze and something around 12 percent for [Badri] Patarkatsishvili. We’ll see.”

Kakhi, lecturer, 44



“Sounds right to me. Saakashvili will win, I’m sure of it.”

Maiko, student, 20



“That poll was ordered by the [Saakashvili’s] National Movement. There is another poll, conducted by Patarkatsishvili’s group, showing a different picture: Gachechiladze and Patarkatsishvili as the top two contenders. I’m skeptical of both polls, but the latter seems more reliable to me, as the one paying for the survey [Patarkatsishvili] didn’t actually name himself number one.”

Nidera, IDP, 67



“No one has reliable numbers. Different polls are showing different pictures, they’re all subjective.”

Akaki, pensioner, 78



“[The polls] are more lies than truth. As usual, the pollsters are inflating the numbers for their favored candidates.”

Oliko, arts expert, 28



“I don’t put much stock in polls, but it’s certainly not impossible that Misha [Saakashvili] has more supporters than Gachechiladze. However, the ranks of Saakashvili supporters are definitely thinner than four years ago.”

Lika, teacher, 28



“I think the results are accurate. After November 7, people have turned against Saakashvili.”

Nana, housewife, 46



“I believe that Gachechiladze can win this election.”

Marina, doctor 44