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Concerns raised over Georgia poll Concerns raised over Georgia poll
(about 14 hours later)
International observers say Georgia's parliamentary elections, which look set to be won by the ruling party, were not fully satisfactory.International observers say Georgia's parliamentary elections, which look set to be won by the ruling party, were not fully satisfactory.
The OSCE said the vote was an improvement from January's disputed presidential election, but was "uneven and incomplete".The OSCE said the vote was an improvement from January's disputed presidential election, but was "uneven and incomplete".
Partial returns show that Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement got 63% of the vote.Partial returns show that Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement got 63% of the vote.
The main opposition - far behind with 13% - accuses the government of fraud.The main opposition - far behind with 13% - accuses the government of fraud.
The election is seen as a test of Mr Saakashvili's commitment to democracy, key to his aim of joining Nato.The election is seen as a test of Mr Saakashvili's commitment to democracy, key to his aim of joining Nato.
'Imperfect''Imperfect'
The president visits a woman injured on polling day
"There were numerous allegations of intimidation, some of which could be verified," the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a report on the poll."There were numerous allegations of intimidation, some of which could be verified," the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a report on the poll.
"These elections were not perfect," said delegation head, Joao Soares. He added, however, that "concrete and substantial progress" had been made."These elections were not perfect," said delegation head, Joao Soares. He added, however, that "concrete and substantial progress" had been made.
Even I was astonished by the big level of support which we got President Mikhail Saakashvili Democratic test for Georgia's leader
"Despite improvements to the election environment these elections did not make full use of the democratic potential of Georgia," Mr Soares said."Despite improvements to the election environment these elections did not make full use of the democratic potential of Georgia," Mr Soares said.
The BBC's Matthew Collin, in Tbilisi, says the government was probably hoping for a more positive verdict from observers to boost its bid for Nato membership.The BBC's Matthew Collin, in Tbilisi, says the government was probably hoping for a more positive verdict from observers to boost its bid for Nato membership.
Even I was astonished by the big level of support which we got President Mikhail Saakashvili Democratic test for Georgia's leader
Returns from almost 1,500 of some 3,5000 polling precints gave Mr Saakashvili 63% of the vote by party list and the main United Opposition bloc 13%.Returns from almost 1,500 of some 3,5000 polling precints gave Mr Saakashvili 63% of the vote by party list and the main United Opposition bloc 13%.
Two-thirds of the parliament's 150 seats are needed for a constitutional majority under Georgian law.Two-thirds of the parliament's 150 seats are needed for a constitutional majority under Georgian law.
'Astonished''Astonished'
Early results also suggest that as well as the two main parties, the Christian Democrats and the Labour Party would also win enough votes to take seats in parliament.Early results also suggest that as well as the two main parties, the Christian Democrats and the Labour Party would also win enough votes to take seats in parliament.
"Even I was astonished by the big level of support which we got in these parliamentary elections," Mr Saakashvili said in comments quoted by Reuters."Even I was astonished by the big level of support which we got in these parliamentary elections," Mr Saakashvili said in comments quoted by Reuters.
"There are no final figures yet but there is a very high probability that the National Movement will get the number of seats in parliament that would be close to a constitutional majority.""There are no final figures yet but there is a very high probability that the National Movement will get the number of seats in parliament that would be close to a constitutional majority."
Soon after polls closed on Wednesday, leaders of the main opposition coalition said that the vote had been rigged.Soon after polls closed on Wednesday, leaders of the main opposition coalition said that the vote had been rigged.
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.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.