Georgian election: Pro-EU opposition says vote stolen as ruling party claims victory

The opposition disputes initial results giving the ruling party 54%, after exit polls tell a different story.

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The Georgian Dream party of billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili claimed outright victory and the central election commission said it had won 54% of the vote based on more than 99% districts counted.

The initial results were dramatically different from exit polls conducted by Western pollsters.

Tina Bokuchava of the opposition United National Movement said the elections had been falsified and the vote "stolen from the Georgian people".

Another opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia, said Georgian Dream had mounted a "constitutional coup", while analysts said its increased vote share from four years ago was scarcely credible.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wqq6l99w3o

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