TBILISI, JANUARY 7, 2004, /RIA-NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT/ -- Georgia's Central Election Commission has processed 89 percent of all ballots, which were cast in the January 4 presidential elections, by noon January 7. Preliminary estimates show that Mikhail Saakashvili, leader of the opposition's National Movement, is leading with 95.83 percent. This was disclosed at a press conference here today by Zurab Chiaberashvili, Chairman of the Central Election Commission.
The Central Election Commission estimates that former Imeretia-region governor Teimuraz Shashiashvili was hot on Saakashvili's heels with just 2.9 percent of all votes.
The other four contenders received 0.10-0.25 percent each. According to preliminary estimates, 0.29 percent of the entire electorate opposed all candidates.
The country's Central Election Commission would be expected to finalize all election results later in the day.
