An exit poll suggests President Mikhail Saakashvili's governing party has won parliamentary elections in Georgia.
An exit poll suggests President Mikhail Saakashvili's governing party has won parliamentary elections in Georgia.
Mr Saakashvili's United National Movement took 63% of the vote, said the exit poll. This would enable the party to retain a big majority in parliament.
Mr Saakashvili's United National Movement took 63% of the vote, said the exit poll - with the opposition trailing with 14%.
However, even before polls closed, the opposition claimed that the vote had been fixed, and prepared for protests.
However, even before polls closed, the opposition claimed that the vote had been fixed, and prepared for protests.
The vote took place amid fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia.
The vote took place amid fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia.
Heavy gunfire was reported along the border with breakaway Abkhazia, after a bus carrying voters was attacked; and an opposition activist was shot dead.
The election is being seen as a test of Georgia's commitment to democracy under the pro-Western Mr Saakashvili.
The election is being seen as a test of Georgia's commitment to democracy under the pro-Western Mr Saakashvili.
"In Georgia our democracy is alive and well," he insisted, after voting.
"In Georgia our democracy is alive and well," he insisted, after voting on Wednesday.
Earlier he urged Georgians to remain united, implying that Russia would exploit any division.
But the opposition urged its supporters to join a late-night demonstration.
"Our enemy wants [the election] to turn into turmoil and internal confrontation," he said.
"The exit poll is the first sign that these elections were rigged," protested Levan Gachechiladze, a leader of the main opposition United Opposition Council.
The two countries have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter row over two breakaway Georgian regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia - backed by Russia.
Acts of violence
In Abkhazia, a bus carrying voters came under fire, leaving several people injured and sparking a gun battle that lasted for 20 minutes, witnesses said. The government blamed Abkhaz separatists.
President Mikhail Saakashvili urged Georgians to stay united
President Mikhail Saakashvili urged Georgians to stay united
The opposition also said one of its activists was killed in a district bordering Abkhazia as he went out to vote.
Opposition voters echoed the claims.
"He was shot with a hunting rifle... We do not know who killed him but we demand an immediate investigation," said opposition leader David Gamkrelidze.
"I voted for the opposition, but it doesn't matter because they are going to throw out my vote anyway," Vano Zurabishvili, 34, told the AFP news agency in the capital, Tbilisi.
Opposition supporters claim the election is being rigged by the ruling party.
"I voted for the opposition, but it doesn't matter because they are going to throw out my vote anyway," Vano Zurabishvili, 34, told the AFP news agency in Tbilisi.
However Anya, 56, said she had voted for Mr Saakashvili's party "because I believe that he is doing what's best for our country."
However Anya, 56, said she had voted for Mr Saakashvili's party "because I believe that he is doing what's best for our country."
Georgia's opposition has threatened to hold mass protests if it believes the parliamentary election has been falsified.
Georgia's opposition has already called mass protests for Tbilisi.
The opposition largely shares President Saakashvili's pro-Western leanings but say he has failed to tackle unemployment and corruption.
The opposition largely shares President Saakashvili's pro-Western leanings but say he has failed to tackle unemployment and corruption.
Acts of violence
Election day was marred by incidents of violence in or near the breakaway region of Abkhazia.
A bus carrying voters came under fire, leaving several people injured and sparking a gun battle that lasted for 20 minutes, witnesses said. The government blamed Abkhaz separatists.
The opposition also said one of its activists was killed in a district bordering Abkhazia as he went out to vote.
"He was shot with a hunting rifle... We do not know who killed him but we demand an immediate investigation," said opposition leader David Gamkrelidze.
Abkhazia is at the heart of heightened tensions with Russia.
Moscow accuses Georgia of preparing to invade Abkhazia, where many residents hold Russian passports. Georgia says Russia is preparing to annex the region.
Are you in Georgia? Have you been to the polls? What is the mood like? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in Georgia? Have you been to the polls? What is the mood like? Send us your comments using the form below.
