Exit Polls Say Zurabishvili Wins Presidential Race
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, November 29
Both exit polls conducted by international research organizations on the order of Imedi TV and the opposition-minded Rustavi 2 private broadcaster announced yesterday that the Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili won the elections.
The results of Imedi exit polls conducted by the Gallup International says that Salome Zurabishvili received 58 percent of votes, while his opponent from the United National Movement opposition Grigol Vashadze-42 percent.
Rustavi 2 exit polls conducted by Edison Research (the figures are of 5 pm) reported that Zurabishvili received 55 percent of votes and Vashadze -45 percent.
The Georgian Central Election Commission will announce official figures today.
The Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili thanked public for support, while Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze congratulated Zurabishvili on the victory and stated that she will write a “new page” in the Georgian history and that she will be the first president “not-affiliated” with any political party.
Vashadze said in his first comment that he will wait for final results as the election turnover was particularly high after 5 pm.
If Zurabishvili wins the race she will be the first female president of Georgia and the last who will be elected by people for six years.
All following presidents will be elected by delegates from Tbilisi and regions for five years.
