Opposition candidate reacts to exit poll results

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.

Vashadze spoke at the opposition offices for reporters shortly after polling stations closed across the country at 8pm and both of the two exit polls suggesting a lead for the ruling party-supported candidate Salome Zurabishvili.

He referred to results from an exit poll by Edison Research, commissioned by Rustavi 2 channel, in his comments.

[Based on 5pm exit poll results] the votes are distributed 55 to 45 [percent] [...] however we will wait for final results, as a major part of voters arrived to cast their vote after 5pm”, Vashadze told the media.

Opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze spoke to the media after exit poll results of 5pm were released. Photo: Grigol Vashadze Facebook page.

The opposition figure also said the election had been “unlike any other” due to alleged levels of “voter mobilisation” by the government.

He also claimed at the briefing that irrespective of election results the opposition had “already succeeded” in uniting various factions against the ruling party, while the government had “lost the final sign of legitimacy”.

For detailed information about voter turnout by districts throughout Georgia, see the interactive live map by Agenda.ge synchronised with CEC data

Voter turnout for the runoff was reported at 47.31 percent — an increase from 38.16 percent in the first round on October 28 — by 5pm by the Central Election Commission of Georgia.