Following the closure of polling stations across the country, two different exit polls were provided by Mtavari Arkhi TV and GORBI – Georgian Opinion Research Business International.
According to Mtavari Arkhi exit poll, opposition candidates won in all five self-governing cities, while the GORBI exit poll shows that Georgian Dream mayoral candidates are leading in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi.
According to the exit poll conducted by Anova on behalf of Mtavari TV, 49% of voters voted for Kakha Kaladze, the Georgian Dream mayoral candidate, and 51% for Nika Melia, the opposition candidate.
Regarding other cities, according to the exit poll, the results of the mayoral candidates are as follows:
Rustavi – Davit Kirkitadze (UNM) – 53%; Nino Latsabidze (GD) – 47%;
Kutaisi – Khatia Dekanoidze (UNM) 53%, Ioseb Khakhaleishvili (GD) – 47%;
Zugdidi – Anzor Melia (UNM) – 53%; Mamuka Tsotseria (GD) – 47%;
Batumi – Giorgi Kirtadze (UNM) 51%; Archil Chikovani (GD) – 49%.
The margin of error is 3%.
According to the exit poll ordered by Imedi TV and conducted by GORBI, as of 18:00, Georgian Dream mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze had received 57.2% support in Tbilisi, while the United National Movement mayoral candidate Nika Melia was supported by 42.8% of voters.
Regarding other cities, the data were distributed as follows in the other three large self-governing cities:
Batumi – Archil Chikovani (GD) – 50.8%, Giorgi Kirtadze (GD) – 49.2%;
Kutaisi – Ioseb Khakhaleishvili (GD) – 51.9%, Khatia Dekanoidze (UNM) – 48.1%
Rustavi – Nino Latsabidze (GD) – 53.8%, Davit Kirkitadze (UNM) – 46.2%.
At this stage, both the ruling team and the united opposition are addressing their supporters and are celebrating a victory. Preliminary results from Central Election Commission are expected to be published later tonight.
By Ana Dumbadze
