19:16
27.10.2013
Final Update
-- A landslide victory for Giorgi Margvelashvili. With 70 percent of ballots counted, Margvelashvili has taken 62 percent of the vote, while Davit Bakradze has won 22 percent and Nino Burjanadze has earned 10.
-- Voter turnout was 46.6 percent -- a steep drop, compared to parliamentary elections last year, when 60.8 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. There were some 3.5 million eligible voters.
-- There were 23 candidates standing in today's poll, but most attention focused on three candidates: Giorgi Margvelashvili, representing the Georgian Dream coalition and handpicked by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili; Davit Bakradze, a member of President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement (UNM); and Nino Burjanadze, the leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party.
-- Consitutional reforms, which concentrate most power in the hands of the prime minister, will take effect following today's vote. Ivanishvili has said he will retire by the end of this year, but has not said whom he will appoint as his successor.
-- Glenn Kates
-- A landslide victory for Giorgi Margvelashvili. With 70 percent of ballots counted, Margvelashvili has taken 62 percent of the vote, while Davit Bakradze has won 22 percent and Nino Burjanadze has earned 10.
-- Voter turnout was 46.6 percent -- a steep drop, compared to parliamentary elections last year, when 60.8 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. There were some 3.5 million eligible voters.
-- There were 23 candidates standing in today's poll, but most attention focused on three candidates: Giorgi Margvelashvili, representing the Georgian Dream coalition and handpicked by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili; Davit Bakradze, a member of President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement (UNM); and Nino Burjanadze, the leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party.
-- Consitutional reforms, which concentrate most power in the hands of the prime minister, will take effect following today's vote. Ivanishvili has said he will retire by the end of this year, but has not said whom he will appoint as his successor.
-- Glenn Kates
17:24
27.10.2013
Many people tweeting expressions of pride in the general lack drama in this election.
17:04
27.10.2013
At the victory party.
16:54
27.10.2013
Via civil.ge: "As an opposition leader I am ready to cooperate with the government...and to work with the new president on all those issues which are essential for a better life for our people," said Bakradze in his concession speech.
16:39
27.10.2013
In a statement, Ivanishvili says: "On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank all participants for respecting our nation's democratic values and rule of law throughout the course of the campaign and vote."
16:29
27.10.2013
16:11
27.10.2013
Exit polls show clear victory for Margvelashvili. If these hold, there will be no runoff.
Rustavi2 TV and GFK exit poll: Margvelashvili 67 percent; Bakradze 20; Burjanadze 8
Imedi TV and ACT: Margvelashvili 68 percent; Bakradze 17; Burjanadze 10
Rustavi2 TV and GFK exit poll: Margvelashvili 67 percent; Bakradze 20; Burjanadze 8
Imedi TV and ACT: Margvelashvili 68 percent; Bakradze 17; Burjanadze 10
16:01
27.10.2013
Polls are closed. Exit polls coming shortly.
15:42
27.10.2013
15:28
27.10.2013
From Transparency International observers. It's official -- a Soviet passport does not suffice as identification in Georgia.