2004 Georgian presidential election explained

Election Name:2004 Georgian presidential election
Country:Georgia
Flag Year:1990
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2000 Georgian presidential election
Previous Year:2000
Next Election:2008 Georgian presidential election
Next Year:2008
Election Date:4 January 2004
Turnout:87.97% (12.11 pp)
Nominee1:Mikheil Saakashvili
Party1:United National Movement (Georgia)
Popular Vote1:1,890,256
Percentage1:96.94%
Nominee2:Teimuraz Shashiashvili
Party2:Independent politician
Alliance2:Union of Citizens of Georgia
Popular Vote2:36,398
Percentage2:1.87%
President
Before Election:Nino Burjanadze (acting)
Before Party:United National Movement (Georgia)
After Election:Mikheil Saakashvili
After Party:United National Movement (Georgia)

Presidential elections were held in Georgia on January 4, 2004.[1] 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 the 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.

Results

Early on 5 January 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.

Aftermath

Saakashvili was inaugurated as President in Tbilisi on January 25.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/1913/ Georgia: Election for President