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Georgian president 're-elected' Georgian president 're-elected'
(about 10 hours later)
Mikhail Saakashvili has been re-elected president of Georgia after a snap poll, preliminary official results suggest. Pro-Western leader Mikhail Saakashvili has been re-elected president of Georgia after a snap poll, preliminary official results suggest.
The election commission said he won 52.8% of the vote, with most ballots counted - indicating he will not have to contest a second-round run-off. With more than 80% of votes counted he has won nearly 52%, Georgian television reports. Any more than 50% would mean he would avoid a second-round vote.
The opposition has already alleged the vote was rigged and mounted protests in the capital, Tbilisi.The opposition has already alleged the vote was rigged and mounted protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
But monitors from the OSCE and Council of Europe said the vote was democratic and the outcome should be respected. But international monitors said the vote was essentially democratic.
We will defend our vote by legal means Levan Gachechiladze Protesters' icy receptionBruising battle for GeorgiaWe will defend our vote by legal means Levan Gachechiladze Protesters' icy receptionBruising battle for Georgia
Officials said the 52.8% figure was a tally from polling stations in Georgia. Some overseas results were still awaited.
"According to these results, there is a fairly high probability that everything will be finished in the first round," central electoral commission chairman Levan Tarkhnishvili said."According to these results, there is a fairly high probability that everything will be finished in the first round," central electoral commission chairman Levan Tarkhnishvili said.
Mr Saakashvili's main contender, Levan Gachechiladze, came second with 27% of the vote, officials declared. Mr Saakashvili's main rival, wine producer Levan Gachechiladze, was in second place with about 25% of the vote after Saturday's poll, officials declared.
'Triumphant step' Results disputed
Earlier in the day, Mr Gachechiladze told thousands of supporters in the capital Tbilisi that results had been "falsified". Mr Saakashvili, a US-educated lawyer, swept to power after street protests in 2003, dubbed the "Rose Revolution".
In a snowbound square on Sunday, the Orthodox Christmas Eve, he told the crowd: "We will defend our vote by legal means." He called the snap election in an attempt to prove his democratic credentials after huge opposition protests were suppressed last November.
Both Mr Saakashvili and Mr Gachechiladze celebrated midnight Mass on Sunday evening, standing near each other in a Tbilisi church.
Thousands of opposition protesters disputed the resultThousands of opposition protesters disputed the result
Mr Saakashvili appears to be waiting for the results to be made fully official before claiming victory, says the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi. "The elections proceeded calmly, in an organised way... the important thing is that we won," he told reporters on Monday.
But the president was given a significant boost when international observer missions dismissed allegations of fraud. The coalition of Georgian opposition parties has issued what it says is evidence of fraud, including fake ballot papers and illegally altered election reports.
Their candidate Levan Gachechiladze told the BBC there should now be a second round of voting.
On Sunday, he told thousands of supporters in Tbilisi that results had been "falsified".
Both Mr Saakashvili and Mr Gachechiladze celebrated midnight Mass on Sunday evening, standing near each other at an Orthodox Christmas service in a Tbilisi church.
International thumbs-up
The president was given a significant boost when international observer missions dismissed allegations of fraud.
US Congressman Alcee Hastings of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said: "I perceive this election as a valid expression of the choice of the Georgian people."US Congressman Alcee Hastings of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said: "I perceive this election as a valid expression of the choice of the Georgian people."
He said there had been some shortcomings - notably that Mr Saakashvili's campaign had overlapped with state activities, and this "contributed to an inequitable campaign environment".He said there had been some shortcomings - notably that Mr Saakashvili's campaign had overlapped with state activities, and this "contributed to an inequitable campaign environment".
But he praised the "calm and peaceful atmosphere" during the election, in which he said "democracy took a triumphant step".But he praised the "calm and peaceful atmosphere" during the election, in which he said "democracy took a triumphant step".
Matyas Eorsi, the head of a monitoring group from the Council of Europe, also endorsed the election, adding: "I would like to make a plea to all political actors to respect the legitimacy of the election for the stability of Georgia." Matyas Eorsi, the head of a monitoring group from the Council of Europe, also endorsed the election.
The United States urged the opposition to respect the monitors' verdict. The European Union presidency congratulated the Georgian people on their "peaceful" election.
Russia, however, called that verdict "hasty" and "superficial".
Nato issue
Mr Saakashvili called the early election in an attempt to prove his democratic credentials after huge opposition protests were suppressed in November.
Georgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In picturesGeorgians in Tbilisi talk about their voting intentions In pictures
But the EU statement also urged Georgia to "do more to reinforce the independence of state institutions in a political campaign environment".
Georgia should also strengthen media freedom and pluralism and the independence of the judiciary, the EU said.
Russia called the election observers' verdict "hasty" and "superficial".
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. The results of those ballots are not yet clear.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. The results of those ballots are not yet clear.
Mr Saakashvili, a US-educated lawyer, came to power after street protests in 2003, dubbed the Rose Revolution. Mr Saakashvili's 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.