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Georgia president 'wins election' Georgia president 'wins election'
(10 minutes later)
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has a commanding lead in the country's snap election but it is unclear whether he has avoided a presidential run-off.Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has a commanding lead in the country's snap election but it is unclear whether he has avoided a presidential run-off.
Final exit polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed would give him outright victory.Final exit polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed would give him outright victory.
But analysts are urging caution as 20% of respondents in the exit poll refused to say who they voted for.But analysts are urging caution as 20% of respondents in the exit poll refused to say who they voted for.
The vote is seen as a democratic test for the ex-USSR state after recent opposition protests were suppressed.The vote is seen as a democratic test for the ex-USSR state after recent opposition protests were suppressed.
However opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze has accused the government of trying to rig the vote.
The authorities have denied this, but the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says that after a bitter and divisive election the dispute seems certain to continue.
It remains to be seen whether the opposition will accept the result.
'Big lie''Big lie'
Acting President Nino Burjanadze told the BBC she thought the elections had been "free, fair and democratic". However opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze has accused the government of trying to rig the election.
Georgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In picturesGeorgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In pictures
An opposition spokeswoman described the exit polls as a "big lie". The exit polls, which suggest Mr Gachechiladze won 28% of the vote, were denounced as a "big lie" by an opposition spokesman.
The authorities have denied allegations of fraud, and acting President Nino Burjanadze told the BBC that the elections had been "free, fair and democratic".
But the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says that after a bitter and divisive election the dispute seems certain to continue.
Mr Saakashvili called the election after huge opposition protests were suppressed in November, in an attempt to prove his democratic credentials.Mr Saakashvili called the election after huge opposition protests were suppressed in November, in an attempt to prove his democratic credentials.
Along with the presidential election, Georgians are being asked to vote on whether they should have a parliamentary election in the coming months, and whether the country should join Nato.Along with the presidential election, Georgians are being asked to vote on whether they should have a parliamentary election in the coming months, and whether the country should join Nato.
Hundreds of foreign observers are monitoring the ballot.
Mr Saakashvili, a US-educated lawyer, came to power after street protests in 2003, dubbed the Rose Revolution.
HAVE YOUR SAY I have voted for the future, for democracy. There is a great change in Georgia and I support all of it Otto, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I have voted for the future, for democracy. There is a great change in Georgia and I support all of it Otto, London Send us your comments
Hundreds of foreign observers have been monitoring the ballot.
Mr Saakashvili, a US-educated lawyer, came to power after street protests in 2003, dubbed the Rose Revolution.
His term as president has seen Georgia strengthen its ties with Nato and the European Union.His term as president has seen Georgia strengthen its ties with Nato and the European Union.
But relations with Moscow have soured and Georgia's economy has been badly hit by a Russian ban on Georgian goods.But relations with Moscow have soured and Georgia's economy has been badly hit by a Russian ban on Georgian goods.