TBILISI, January 6 (RIA Novosti) - Former Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili is leading at the country's presidential elections with 57.58% of the vote, leaving united opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze far behind with 22.56%, the Central Election Commission said Sunday.
With results available from 229 polling stations out of 3,512, it is becoming clear that a second round is unlikely, as U.S.-educated Saakashvili has gained over 50% of the vote, but the opposition has said the vote was rigged.
Businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili received about 6%, followed by Labor Party leader Shalva Natelashvili with 4.3%, New Rightist leader David Gamkrelidze with 3.5% and others with less than 1% of the vote.