Georgia presidential election, 2004
Encyclopedia
A presidential election was held in the Republic of Georgia on January 4, 2004. The election followed the resignation of former President Eduard Shevardnadze
. As expected, the main opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, was soon shown by exit polls to be heading for an overwhelming victory. According to preliminary results issued on January 6 by Georgia's Central Election Commission, Saakashvili won over 97% of the votes cast.
The other candidates received less than 2% each. They were former presidential envoy to the Imereti
region Temur Shashiashvili, leader of the Lawyers of Georgia Party Kartlos Garibashvili, one of the leaders of the political organization Mdzleveli, Zurab Kelekhsashvili, the President of the Coalition of Non-Government Organisations of the Disabled Zaza Sikharulidze, and leader of the David Agmashenebeli Party Roin Liparteliani.
Georgian law requires a 50% turnout for elections to be valid. The Chairman of the Georgian Central Election Commission, Zurab Tchiaberashvili, said that since about 1,763,000 voters had participated - over 80% of those eligible to vote - "according to the preliminary information, the elections are valid."
Early on January 5 Saakashvili claimed victory, although no official figures had been released at that time. He thanked his supporters, who were gathered in the Philharmonic Hall in Tbilisi
, and also thanked the voters. "The whole of Georgia has won," he said.
"The primary tasks to be implemented from the first days of my presidency include introduction of a Prime Minister's post, appointment of a date for parliamentary elections and implementation of anti-corruption measures in the country," Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili was inaugurated as President in Tbilisi
on January 25, 2004.
Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
. As expected, the main opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, was soon shown by exit polls to be heading for an overwhelming victory. According to preliminary results issued on January 6 by Georgia's Central Election Commission, Saakashvili won over 97% of the votes cast.
The other candidates received less than 2% each. They were former presidential envoy to the Imereti
Imereti
Imereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
region Temur Shashiashvili, leader of the Lawyers of Georgia Party Kartlos Garibashvili, one of the leaders of the political organization Mdzleveli, Zurab Kelekhsashvili, the President of the Coalition of Non-Government Organisations of the Disabled Zaza Sikharulidze, and leader of the David Agmashenebeli Party Roin Liparteliani.
National summary of votes
| Summary of the 4 January 2004 Presidential election results | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mikheil Saakashvili Mikheil Saakashvili Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003... |
1,692,728 | 96.0 |
| Teimuraz Shashiashvili | 33,868 | 1.9 |
| Roin Liparteliani | 4,248 | 0.2 |
| Zaza Sikharulidze | 4,098 | 0.2 |
| Kartlos Garibashvili | 3,582 | 0.2 |
| Zurab Kelekhsashvili | 1,631 | 0.1 |
| Against all | 22,817 | 1.3 |
| Total 82.8 % turnout, 1,762,972 registered voters | 1,762,972 | 100.0 |
Georgian law requires a 50% turnout for elections to be valid. The Chairman of the Georgian Central Election Commission, Zurab Tchiaberashvili, said that since about 1,763,000 voters had participated - over 80% of those eligible to vote - "according to the preliminary information, the elections are valid."
Early on January 5 Saakashvili claimed victory, although no official figures had been released at that time. He thanked his supporters, who were gathered in the Philharmonic Hall in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, and also thanked the voters. "The whole of Georgia has won," he said.
"The primary tasks to be implemented from the first days of my presidency include introduction of a Prime Minister's post, appointment of a date for parliamentary elections and implementation of anti-corruption measures in the country," Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili was inaugurated as President in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
on January 25, 2004.