Only 0.9% Difference between Ruling Party and Opposition Supported Candidates
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, October 31
The Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) has counted all votes, which revealed that there is only 0.9 percent difference between the votes of the Georgian Dream supported independent presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili and the candidate of 10 opposition parties [including the United National Movement] Grigol Vashadze.
Based on final data Zurabishvili received 38.64 percent of votes and Vashadze-37.74 percent in 28 October presidential elections.
The third runner is the opposition candidate from the European Georgia David Bakradze with 10.97 percent of votes, who has already stated that he would support Vashadze in the runoff, as none of two top candidates were able to receive at least 51 percent of votes.
Georgian PM Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about the “message” the ruling party received from the people via the elections and vowed unity in the ruling team and mobilization of supporters for the second round of elections, which must be held no later than December 2.
“We received a clear message about our mistakes from our people, as well as about the expectations they have towards us regarding specific challenges, the challenges which bother them and their families. We have seen much from the elections, we have seen that many things need to be changed in the shortest terms,” Bakhtadze said.
“For the second round, we will act unanimously and will ensure the unity of our supporters, who due to different reasons, did not vote in the elections. After the second round we will together celebrate the victory of the values we are all fighting for,” Bakhtadze said.
Vashadze, who has already received support from Bakradze and the Republican party, says that he is expecting further support from other opposition parties.
Zurabishvili kept asking the journalists to wait for her call.
From 3,518,890 registered voters 1,637,956 voters cast ballots in the elections, which amounted to 46.7 percent of total registered voters.
The election turnout was 45.4 percent, while in the 2013 presidential elections turnout was 46.6 percent.
