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Georgia president 'wins election' Georgia president 'wins election'
(30 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.
Exit polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed by official results would give him an outright win.Exit polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed by official results would give him an outright win.
But analysts are urging caution as 20% of respondents in the exit poll refused to say who they had voted for. But the opposition said there were serious violations and called its supporters to a street protest.
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.
'Big lie''Big lie'
However opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze has accused the government of trying to rig the election. The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says there has been a mood of celebration around Mr Saakashvili's campaign headquarters, with people waving flags and cars tooting their horns.
Georgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In picturesGeorgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In pictures
The exit polls, which suggest Mr Gachechiladze won 28% of the vote, were denounced as a "big lie" by an opposition spokesman. But no official results have yet been published and Mr Saakashvili has not claimed victory.
Analysts are urging caution as 20% of respondents in the exit poll refused to say who they had voted for, and opposition denounced the survey as a "big lie".
Opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze, who the pollsters say won 28% of the vote, has accused the government of trying to rig the election.
He said after voting that his supporters were recording numerous violations around the country, and urged them to take to the streets for a mass protest on Sunday afternoon.
The authorities have denied allegations of fraud, and acting President Nino Burjanadze told the BBC that the elections had been "free, fair and democratic".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. But our correspondent says that after a bitter and divisive election the dispute seems certain to continue.
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 comments
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.
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 comments
Hundreds of foreign observers have been monitoring the ballot.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.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.