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 - with the opposition trailing with 14%.
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.
Opposition supporters gathered in the capital Tbilisi for a late night protest, saying the vote was rigged, but numbers fell short of expectations.
The vote took place amid fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia.
The vote is being seen as a test of Georgia's commitment to democracy.
The election is being seen as a test of Georgia's commitment to democracy under the pro-Western Mr Saakashvili.
The election took place amid fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia.
"In Georgia our democracy is alive and well," he insisted, after voting on Wednesday.
'Different picture'
But the opposition urged its supporters to join a late-night demonstration.
"In Georgia our democracy is alive and well," President Mikhail Saakashvili insisted, after voting on Wednesday.
"The exit poll is the first sign that these elections were rigged," protested Levan Gachechiladze, a leader of the main opposition United Opposition Council.
Leaders of the main opposition coalition disagreed.
"There was total falsification, especially in the regions," said Georgy Gamkrelidze, a leader of the United Opposition Council.
"According to our data, the picture is totally different," he told Associated Press news agency.
The opposition called for protests in Tbilisi, saying tens of thousands would gather, but only about 1,000 showed up.
President Mikhail Saakashvili urged Georgians to stay united
President Mikhail Saakashvili urged Georgians to stay united
Opposition voters echoed the claims.
The opposition's own partial results for the vote in Tbilisi were released, indicating the United Opposition had more than 40% and the United National Movement took 32%.
"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.
Protesters then watched live coverage of the Champions League final in Moscow between English teams Manchester United and Chelsea.
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 Central Election Commission is to begin releasing its results on Thursday when international poll monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe will also deliver their judgement.
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.
They are also angry about riot police being sent in to break up opposition protests last year and say the government has taken on authoritarian tendencies under President Saakashvili.
Acts of violence
Acts of violence
Election day was marred by incidents of violence in or near the breakaway region of Abkhazia.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
But the government says the killing was the result of a domestic dispute and was not politically motivated.
Abkhazia is at the heart of heightened tensions with Russia.
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.
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.
