Election polls commissioned by the opposition-oriented TV channel Mtavari Arkhi says that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) mayoral candidate and incumbent Kakha Kaladze will receive 51.6%, while Nika Melia from the United National Movement (UNM) will get 48.4% in municipal election run-offs in Tbilisi on October 30.
The survey, conducted by the international France-based company Ipsos, showed that in four other large cities — Kutaisi, Rustavi, Batumi and Zugdidi — UNM mayoral candidates are in the lead.
Kutaisi:
Khatia Dekanoidze (UNM) - 51.7%
Ioseb Khakhaleishvili (GD) - 48.3%
Rustavi:
Davit Kirkitadze (UNM) - 53.1%
Nino Latsabidze (GD) - 46.9 %
Batumi:
Giorgi Kirtadze (UNM) - 51.3%
Archil Chikovani (GD) - 48.7%
Zugdidi:
Anzor Melia (UNM) - 54.7%
Mamuka Tsotseria (GD) - 45.3%
Based on final results of the October 2nd local self-government race, the GD received 46.74% of the vote and won the majority of mayoral constituencies, while the UNM received 30.68%, and former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party garnered 7.79%. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated earlier today that the survey has no credibility, noting that the name of the company Ipsos is just used by the opposition-minded TV channel.
In two days our population will see that these second rounds will end with our victory,” said Garibashvili.
The survey was conducted between October 23-27, with 2,600 respondents interviewed. The margin of error of the survey is 3%.
Mayoral election run-offs will be held in 20 of 64 constituencies of Georgia, as none of the candidates received at least 51% of the vote.
In 17 of the 20 election constituencies, the candidates of the GD and the UNM opposition will compete, while in the remaining three constituencies, the ruling party will face the For Georgia party.
A total of 2,088,722 voters are eligible to participate in the municipal run-offs nationwide on October 30.