2018 Georgian presidential election

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2018 Georgian presidential election

← 2013 28 October 2018 (first round)
28 November 2018 (second round)
2024 →
Registered3,518,877[1]
Turnout46.83% (first round) (Decrease 0.12 pp)
56.5% (second round) (Increase 9.39 pp)
 
Candidate Salome Zourabichvili Grigol Vashadze
Party Independent UNM
Alliance Georgian Dream Strength Is in Unity
Popular vote 1,147,701 780,680
Percentage 59.52% 40.48%

First round results by region or municipality

Zourabichvili:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%

Vashadze:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

President before election

Giorgi Margvelashvili
Independent

Elected President

Salome Zurabishvili
Independent

Presidential elections were held in Georgia on 28 October 2018. As no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a runoff between Salome Zourabichvili and Grigol Vashadze was held on 28 November 2018.[2] Salome Zourabichvili won with around 60% of the vote in the second round[3] and took office on 16 December 2018.

Following amendments to the constitution in 2017, the 2018 elections were the last direct presidential vote; presidents will subsequently be elected by a 300-member College of Electors. In view of these changes, the President was elected for a term of six years in 2018.[4]

Background

The pre-election period was marred by a polarized political environment and a series of secret tape recordings aired by the pro-opposition Rustavi 2 TV, leading to allegations of kidnappings and torture by investigators to secure convictions, pressure and coercion on businesses and media, high-level corruption, and selective justice.[5]

Candidates

46 people applied to participate in the elections, 21 of which were rejected by the Election Administration of Georgia.[6] 25 presidential candidates were registered by the Election Administration of Georgia.[6][7] This is the largest number since Georgia's first presidential election in 1991.[8] All 25 candidates were included on the ballot paper.[9]

Name Occupation Nominated by
1 Mikheil Antadze Professor State for the People Movement
2 Davit Bakradze Member of Parliament European Georgia
4 Vakhtang Gabunia Politician Christian‐Democratic Movement
5 Grigol Vashadze Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (2008-2012) United National Movement
10 Shalva Natelashvili Leader of Georgian Labour Party Georgian Labour Party
13 Zviad Mekhatishvili Politician Christian‐Conservative Party of Georgia
17 Giorgi Liluashvili Vice President of Georgian National Academy Party Georgia
18 Akaki Asatiani Politician Union of Georgian Traditionalists
21 Kakha Kukava Politician Free Georgia
22 Otar Meunargia Industry Will Save Georgia
23 Irakli Gorgadze Unemployed Movement for a Free Georgia
25 David Usupashvili Leader of Development Movement, former chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Free Democrats
27 Zviad Baghdavadze Unemployed Civic Platform – New Georgia
28 Mikheil Saluashvili Politician Union of Justice Restoration of the Nation: The Lord Is Our Truth
30 Zviad Iashvili Unemployed National‐Democratic Party
31 Tamar Tskhoragauli Entrepreneur Political Movement Freedom – Zviad Gamsakhurdia's Way
35 Gela Khutsishvili Politician Political Movement of the Veterans and Patriots of Georgia
36 Zurab Japaridze Leader of Girchi Girchi
40 Levan Chkheidze Chkheidze and Partners Law Firm New Christian‐Democrats
48 Salome Zourabichvili Member of Parliament Initiative Group of Voters
49 Besarion Tediashvili Founder of TF Construction Initiative Group of Voters
51 Giorgi Andriadze Deputy Chairperson of the Commission for Learning Christian Theology and History of Religion at the Georgian Academy of Sciences Initiative Group of Voters
58 Kakhaber Chichinadze Entrepreneur Initiative Group of Voters
62 Vladimer Nonikashvili Director of Publishing House Paragraph Initiative Group of Voters
65 Teimuraz Shashiashvili Unemployed Initiative Group of Voters

Withdrawn

Democratic Movement

Declined

Independent

Opinion polls

From 2018
Pollster Date Bakradze
EG
Vashadze
UNM
Zourabichvili
Independent
Natelashvili
Labour
Usupashvili
DM
Japaridze
Girchi
Burjanadze
DMUG
TBD
APG
Margvelashvili
Independent
Elisashvili
Independent
Kukava
FG
Bregadze
GM
None of the Above
EXIT POLLS:
BCG
28.10.18 17% 37% 34% 5% - - - - - - - - -
EXIT POLLS:
Psychoportrait
28.10.18 9% 28% 52% 2% 2% 3% - - - - - - -
EXIT POLLS:
Edison Research
28.10.18 10% 40% 40% 3% 2% 3% - - - - - - -
Election day (28 October)
BCG 20.10.18-24.10.18 30% 27% 33% 4% 2% - - - - - - - -
Edison Research 15.10.18-24.10.18 16% 37% 32% 6% - - - - - - - - 8%
IPN, Ambebi.ge, Kvirispalitra.ge 24.10.18 5% 27% 31% 3% 11% 5% - - - - - - 18%
Edison Research 25.09.18-4.10.18 15% 31% 16% 7% 3% - - - - - - - 21%
BCG 15–22 September 2018 29% 28% 21% 10% 6% - - - - - - - 6%
Edison Research 3–23 September 2018 18% 22% 15% 8% 3% 2% - - - - - - 32%
Primary August–September 2018 18.9% 43.9% 8.8% 5.7% 2.1% - - - - 3.9% 8% - -
Newposts August 2018 15% 25% 12% 4% 2% - - - - - - - 33%
Allnews 2 August 2018 5% 18% 19% - - - 8% - 6% 10% - - 30%
Metronome August 2018 5% 37% 8% 2% 3% 27% 3% - 2% 2% - - 8%
NDI 23.06.18 —08.07.18 6% 10% 12% 4% - - - - 6% - - - -
IRI 01.04.18 —22.04.18 16% 8% 17% 1% - - - 3% 10% - - - -

Second round

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Vashadze
UNM
Zourabichvili
Independent
Undecided
EXIT POLLS:
Gallup International
28.11.18 43% 57% -
EXIT POLLS:
Edison Research
28.11.18 45% 55% -
Second round (28 November)
Edison Research 12–18 November 2018 52% 48% -
Pollitic 18–25 November 2018 70% 30% -
Gallup International 16–18 November 2018 48% 52% -
Edison Research 1–9 November 2018 41% 36% 23%
First round (28 October)
BCG 20–24 October 2018 39% 27% -
Edison Research 15–24 October 2018 44% 29% 27%
BCG 15–22 September 2018 40% 19% 40%
Edison Research 14–23 September 2018 50% 24% 26%

Approval ratings

Date Pollster Sample size
Apr 2018 IRI 1,500
March 2018 NDI 2,194
 
Giorgi Kvirikashvili
N/O
41 52 7
25 16 58
 
David Bakradze
N/O
53 40 7
34 18 47
 
Grigol Vashadze
N/O
32 52 16
15 21 64
 
Giorgi Margvelashvili
N/O
52 42 6
26 18 57
 
Shalva Natelashvili
N/O
34 58 8
 
Nino Burjanadze
N/O
23 73 4

Results

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Salomé ZourabichviliIndependent (Georgian Dream)615,57238.641,147,70159.52
Grigol VashadzeUnited National Movement601,22437.74780,68040.48
Davit BakradzeEuropean Georgia174,84910.97
Shalva NatelashviliGeorgian Labour Party59,6513.74
David UsupashviliDevelopment Movement36,0372.26
Zurab JaparidzeGirchi36,0342.26
Kakha KukavaFree Georgia21,1861.33
Giorgi AndriadzeIndependent13,1330.82
Teimuraz ShashiashviliIndependent9,4810.60
Tamar TskhoragauliTavisupleba4,0040.25
Besarion TediashviliIndependent3,7130.23
Mikheil SaluashviliUnion for the Restoration of Justice2,9700.19
Levan ChkheidzeNew Christian Democrats2,8950.18
Akaki AsatianiUnion of Georgian Traditionalists1,9940.13
Vakhtang GabuniaChristian-Democratic Movement1,9580.12
Gela KhutsishviliGeorgian Veterans' and Patriots' Political Movement1,6230.10
Kakhaber ChichinadzeIndependent1,4180.09
Mikheil AntadzeState for the People1,0740.07
Giorgi LiluashviliGeorgia Party8920.06
Zviad MekhatishviliGeorgian Christian-Conservative Party7130.04
Otar MeunargiaIndustry Will Save Georgia6640.04
Vladimer NonikashviliIndependent6330.04
Irakli GorgadzeMovement for a Free Georgia5310.03
Zviad BaghdavadzeCitizen Platform–New Georgia4770.03
Zviad IashviliNational Democratic Party4440.03
Total1,593,170100.001,928,381100.00
Valid votes1,593,17096.731,928,38196.99
Invalid/blank votes53,8473.2759,7783.01
Total votes1,647,017100.001,988,159100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,518,87746.813,528,65856.34
Source: CEC, CEC

By territory

Territory[a] First round Second round
Turnout Zourabichvili Vashadze Bakradze Natelashvili Usupashvili Japaridze Others Lead Turnout Zourabichvili Vashadze Lead
Mtatsminda 50.59 37.62 31.32 7.95 2.98 6.49 7.14 6.50 6.30 60.93 64.34 35.66 28.68
Vake 51.98 37.15 29.38 6.68 2.88 8.05 8.57 7.29 7.77 63.41 66.05 33.95 32.10
Saburtalo 50.07 37.55 30.41 6.84 3.48 7.12 7.33 7.27 7.14 61.34 65.61 34.39 31.22
Krtsanisi 41.79 37.12 38.27 7.38 4.06 3.24 4.03 5.90 1.15 51.74 59.57 40.43 19.14
Isani 40.36 31.99 39.15 9.88 4.63 3.48 4.38 6.49 7.16 50.23 56.94 43.06 13.88
Samgori 40.93 29.89 41.95 9.11 5.63 2.96 4.00 6.46 12.06 51.41 56.41 43.59 12.82
Chughureti 46.28 38.99 33.56 7.28 4.27 4.34 5.36 6.20 5.43 55.82 63.37 36.63 26.74
Didube 50.81 38.58 30.96 6.53 3.70 5.64 6.97 7.62 7.62 60.63 64.98 35.02 29.96
Nadzaladevi 43.35 33.40 36.63 7.81 5.60 3.91 5.13 7.52 3.23 54.82 61.74 38.26 23.48
Gldani 42.98 29.84 40.23 9.38 5.86 3.37 4.57 6.75 10.39 52.84 56.74 43.26 13.48
Sagarejo 39.72 40.27 36.66 12.09 4.31 1.14 0.64 4.89 3.61 49.30 62.49 37.51 24.98
Gurjaani 54.87 39.78 34.60 16.79 3.94 1.45 0.66 2.78 5.18 62.25 61.95 38.05 23.90
Sighnaghi 48.61 39.95 37.49 11.16 4.22 3.63 1.00 2.55 2.46 60.42 61.48 38.52 22.96
Dedoplistskaro 50.37 52.89 26.35 11.27 4.51 1.66 0.64 2.68 26.54 57.26 67.91 32.09 35.82
Lagodekhi 45.20 33.59 45.04 14.18 3.28 0.71 0.54 2.66 11.45 53.01 51.72 48.28 3.44
Kvareli 57.49 40.46 44.03 7.88 2.95 1.20 0.54 2.94 3.57 63.30 52.76 47.24 5.52
Telavi 52.03 32.79 50.12 7.60 4.38 1.41 0.96 2.74 17.33 58.79 48.81 51.19 2.38
Akhmeta 46.86 33.25 45.99 9.89 6.59 1.22 0.55 2.51 12.74 55.20 52.84 47.16 5.68
Tianeti 47.99 45.86 27.79 11.38 9.55 1.27 1.05 3.10 18.07 52.72 68.21 31.79 36.42
Rustavi 45.08 24.33 47.13 10.15 5.62 2.73 3.90 6.14 22.80 53.49 48.49 51.51 3.02
Gardabani 37.31 40.23 42.63 8.28 3.71 0.76 0.76 3.63 2.40 48.10 55.08 44.92 10.16
Marneuli 36.47 47.57 39.22 10.52 0.73 0.19 0.13 1.64 8.35 51.91 58.08 41.92 16.16
Bolnisi 44.45 59.18 31.45 4.95 1.44 0.29 0.37 2.32 27.73 46.31 64.12 35.88 28.24
Dmanisi 49.25 48.43 39.71 6.62 1.62 1.15 0.21 2.26 8.72 52.76 67.20 32.80 34.40
Tsalka 38.94 54.58 30.38 10.25 1.14 0.39 0.31 2.95 24.20 43.12 62.03 37.97 24.06
Tetritskaro 46.93 48.67 33.43 8.60 4.13 1.02 0.71 3.44 15.24 54.44 66.54 33.46 33.08
Mtskheta 49.92 36.34 41.34 9.63 6.41 1.29 1.38 3.61 5.00 61.97 58.87 41.13 17.74
Dusheti 41.70 42.36 29.68 8.48 13.31 1.39 0.83 3.95 12.68 52.29 68.73 31.27 37.46
Kazbegi 37.33 55.11 16.97 11.42 8.70 1.05 0.94 5.81 38.14 47.27 79.34 20.66 58.68
Kaspi 45.09 39.27 39.64 10.24 5.76 1.16 0.85 3.08 0.37 57.20 62.66 37.34 25.32
Gori 45.58 34.61 42.50 11.79 4.57 1.62 1.36 3.55 7.89 61.03 61.99 38.01 23.98
Kareli 47.33 35.16 42.00 13.50 4.64 0.97 0.52 3.21 6.84 60.12 58.19 41.81 16.38
Khashuri 44.15 33.13 43.22 10.78 6.07 1.66 1.34 3.80 10.09 56.91 60.65 39.35 21.30
Borjomi 49.70 50.16 27.99 10.40 4.89 1.09 1.24 4.23 22.17 57.34 69.52 30.48 39.04
Akhaltsikhe 55.39 45.59 28.32 20.40 2.22 0.59 0.62 2.26 17.27 61.70 55.92 44.08 11.84
Adigeni 60.53 47.49 27.08 20.96 1.97 0.58 0.34 1.58 20.41 67.34 58.61 41.39 17.22
Aspindza 63.05 56.86 20.44 17.12 2.35 0.54 0.35 2.34 36.42 67.76 64.95 35.05 29.90
Akhalkalaki 44.21 59.46 23.31 14.81 0.28 0.11 0.08 1.95 36.15 52.07 63.66 36.34 27.32
Ninotsminda 46.20 59.16 21.45 15.94 0.20 0.07 0.16 3.02 37.71 57.22 64.07 35.93 28.14
Oni 53.81 50.40 24.75 14.17 3.99 1.74 0.75 4.20 25.65 58.54 68.65 31.35 37.30
Ambrolauri 61.17 50.12 27.79 10.35 4.55 1.44 0.61 5.14 22.33 63.50 69.65 30.35 39.30
Tsageri 56.84 47.42 27.66 17.92 2.93 0.68 0.37 3.02 19.76 60.42 65.43 34.57 30.86
Lentekhi 50.80 57.53 17.47 15.36 3.92 1.87 0.48 3.37 40.06 50.66 77.08 22.92 54.16
Mestia 52.21 57.23 20.95 14.59 3.14 0.61 0.43 3.05 36.28 58.96 76.55 23.45 53.10
Kharagauli 60.39 47.56 30.89 13.58 2.55 1.88 0.44 3.10 16.67 67.24 64.46 35.54 28.92
Terjola 56.94 37.65 27.95 27.71 2.59 0.93 0.43 2.74 9.70 63.57 55.43 44.57 10.86
Sachkhere 50.54 77.08 10.28 6.27 2.14 1.05 0.71 2.47 66.80 64.46 91.78 8.22 83.56
Zestafoni 47.36 35.51 38.55 16.21 3.90 1.49 0.77 3.57 3.04 56.56 58.63 41.37 17.26
Baghdati 55.02 37.89 38.33 16.42 2.88 1.24 0.70 2.54 0.44 60.10 54.33 45.67 8.66
Vani 57.47 46.66 26.43 21.91 1.86 0.51 0.31 2.32 20.23 59.99 63.39 36.61 26.78
Samtredia 46.77 37.45 41.40 12.69 3.38 0.96 0.53 3.59 3.95 58.30 61.48 38.52 22.96
Khoni 60.50 42.13 23.95 27.71 2.24 0.56 0.57 2.84 14.42 65.18 57.86 42.14 15.72
Chiatura 41.25 43.63 31.15 14.71 4.29 1.68 0.62 3.92 12.48 51.08 68.70 31.30 37.40
Tkibuli 50.79 35.82 46.83 8.41 2.92 2.36 0.63 3.03 11.01 57.48 54.16 45.84 8.32
Tskaltubo 49.49 32.93 48.21 11.37 2.71 0.87 0.65 3.26 15.28 56.79 52.72 47.28 5.44
Kutaisi 41.67 28.70 47.03 10.36 3.11 1.50 2.09 7.21 18.33 49.83 51.29 48.71 2.58
Ozurgeti 52.78 44.21 31.98 13.50 3.85 1.61 0.77 4.08 12.23 59.26 64.39 35.61 28.78
Lanchkhuti 53.69 47.13 23.61 20.13 3.82 1.26 0.66 3.39 23.52 60.65 67.93 32.07 35.86
Chokhatauri 59.40 48.32 28.69 15.71 2.42 1.83 0.47 2.56 19.63 64.11 65.91 34.09 31.82
Abasha 55.55 41.64 41.54 10.61 2.42 0.54 0.39 2.86 0.10 64.26 59.62 40.38 19.24
Senaki 47.57 32.34 48.84 11.81 2.94 0.71 0.43 2.93 16.50 56.03 52.64 47.36 5.28
Martvili 52.35 36.17 45.32 13.61 1.66 0.44 0.20 2.60 9.15 61.22 52.43 47.57 4.86
Khobi 54.70 43.94 35.40 13.02 2.67 1.17 0.40 3.40 8.54 61.33 56.78 43.22 13.56
Zugdidi 40.39 33.91 49.41 11.03 2.08 0.57 0.51 2.49 15.50 47.98 50.47 49.53 0.94
Tsalenjikha 44.04 33.76 50.48 9.64 2.19 0.64 0.43 2.86 16.72 53.30 52.80 47.20 5.60
Chkhorotsqu 53.58 38.02 47.89 7.81 1.91 0.91 0.30 3.16 9.87 61.71 54.80 45.20 9.60
Poti 42.99 34.11 39.82 12.73 5.11 1.69 1.42 5.12 5.71 54.19 59.62 40.38 19.24
Batumi 44.38 33.88 44.82 8.58 3.93 2.59 2.08 4.12 10.94 55.84 55.73 44.27 11.46
Keda 64.74 50.61 30.31 13.60 2.16 0.85 0.28 2.19 20.30 72.72 62.22 37.78 24.44
Kobuleti 50.40 42.11 42.69 8.01 2.67 0.86 0.56 3.10 0.58 61.98 60.46 39.54 20.92
Shuakhevi 56.96 47.02 35.12 12.69 1.52 1.29 0.22 2.14 11.90 61.41 58.80 41.20 17.60
Khelvachauri 48.75 40.51 40.10 10.75 3.77 1.82 0.64 2.41 0.41 60.85 60.02 39.98 20.04
Khulo 53.96 49.62 29.71 16.76 1.49 0.81 0.20 1.41 19.91 57.39 57.22 42.78 14.44
Abroad N/A 22.49 52.27 6.92 3.14 4.92 5.70 4.56 29.78 N/A 35.76 64.24 28.48
Source: CEC CEC CEC CEC

Reactions

International observers assessed the elections as competitive and free, stressing that "one side enjoyed an undue advantage and the negative character of the campaign on both sides undermined the process", while the misuse of administrative resources "blurred the line between party and state."[14] However, Transparency International, based on information from a state agency employee, alleged that state agencies were publishing fake identity cards to allow Zourabichvili supporters to cast multiple ballots in the election. According to the plan, five fake IDs were published per individual, and "trustworthy" officials of agencies were vested with the duty of conducting such action.[15]

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated that the elections were "competitive and professionally administered," but noted concerned about a "substantial imbalance in donations", "excessively high spending limits", and a "lack of analytical reporting" as contributing factors to creating an unlevel playing field.[16]

On 29 November, the day after the run-off results were released, the United National Movement leader-in-exile Mikheil Saakashvili encouraged supporters not to accept the election results and to hold demonstrations against the newly elected president. He also called for civil disobedience toward the police and armed forces.

Notes

  1. ^ Each territory refers to either a district of Tbilisi or a municipality, unless noted otherwise

References

  1. ^ "Certified Official Results of the 28 October 2018 First Round of the Georgian Presidential Election" (PDF). Central Election Commission (in Georgian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Second Round of Presidential Election will be Held on November 28". Central Election Commission. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Results 2018". Central Election Commission. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Key Points of Newly Adopted Constitution". Civil Georgia. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Georgia's tapes scandals suggest something is rotten at the top of Georgian politics". OC Media. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b "25 Presidential Candidates are Registered for October 28, 2018 Elections". Election Administration of Georgia. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  7. ^ "October 28, 2018 Presidential Elections of Georgia Registered Presidential Candidates" (PDF). cesko.ge. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Presidential Elections 2018: Weekly Digest No.2". Civil.ge. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  9. ^ "The Term for Presidential Candidates to Withdraw their Candidacies has Expired". Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Presidential Candidate Zurabishvili Claims Georgia Started August 2008 War". Georgia Today on the Web. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Nino Burjanadze boycotts presidential election". Interpressnews. 8 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  12. ^ "Current president Giorgi Margvelashvili not to run in presidential elections". Agenda.ge. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Goodbye, Mr. President". Georgia Today on the Web. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Georgia's First Woman President Sworn In Amid Opposition Protests". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Investigation into instances of alleged election fraud must be launched".
  16. ^ ¢Voters had a genuine choice and candidates campaigned freely, but on an unlevel playing field, international observers say Archived 4 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, press release of 29 October 2018.