This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7173283.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Georgia president 'wins election' Georgia leader 'confident of win'
(about 2 hours 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 said he is confident of victory in the country's snap election after exit polls gave him a commanding lead.
Exit polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed by official results would give him an outright win. The polls suggest he won 53.7% of the vote, which if confirmed by official results would give him an outright win.
But the opposition said there were serious violations and called its supporters to a street protest. But the opposition said there were serious violations and called its supporters to hold 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'
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.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
But no official results have yet been published and Mr Saakashvili has not claimed victory.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". He said he would wait for the final results but was confident of victory without a run-off against his nearest rival.
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.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.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 our correspondent 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 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
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 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.