CEC to Publish Final Election Results Today

Troops guard Central Election Commission

The Central Election Commission will today publish the official results of the disputed November 2 parliamentary elections.

According to the Georgian election code, the term of publication of election results expires at 6 p.m. November 20.

However, a number of election districts have not submitted final protocols of vote tally so far.

Under the preliminary results, the pro-presidential election bloc For New Georgia takes the leading place (20.95%), followed by Aslan Abashidze’s Revival Union (18.29%). Saakashvili’s National Movement takes the third place (17.48%). Then comes the Labor party with 11.74% of votes, the Burjanadze-Democrats – 8.22%, the New Rights – 6.91%, Industry will Save Georgia – 5.85%.

The political parties have to clear 7% barrier necessary to secure seats in the new Parliament.

The opposition political parties accuse the Central Election Commission and the authorities of rigging the election results.

Along with the protest rallies of the National Movement and the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, urging President Shevardnadze’s resignation, the Labor Party raised the issue of boycotting the new Parliament, if CEC rigs the election results. The Labor Party claims only four parties could clear 7% barrier.