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Monitors hail Georgian election Monitors hail Georgian election
(20 minutes later)
The presidential election in the former Soviet republic of Georgia was broadly democratic but had shortcomings, international observers say. A snap presidential election in the ex- Soviet republic of Georgia was broadly democratic, though it had shortcomings, international observers say.
The verdict came from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe after a snap vote called by President Mikhail Saakashvili. The OSCE said the poll was consistent with most international democratic standards, but significant challenges needed to be addressed.
Exit polls suggest he won, though it is not clear if he will avoid a run-off. Exit polls suggest President Mikhail Saakashvili won, but it is unclear if he did well enough to avoid a run-off.
Thousands of opposition supporters have gathered to protest, claiming the result was rigged. Thousands of opposition protesters have gathered, alleging vote-rigging.
"We are not going to let him (President Saakashvili) steal the election," one opposition supporter told the BBC.
The vote was seen as a democratic test for Georgia, after recent opposition protests were suppressed.
Georgians were also asked to vote on whether they should have a parliamentary election in the coming months, and whether the country should join Nato.