TBILISI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Georgia's presidential elections are poised for a runoff since preliminary data showed no candidate has won enough votes to secure a victory.
According to early results released by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia on Monday, after counting the votes from 3,689 out of 3,705 precincts, nearly 99 percent of the total votes, independent candidate Salome Zurabishvili led the presidential polls with 38.66 percent. Grigol Vashadze, candidate of the major opposition United National Movement, followed closely with 37.7 percent.
With no candidate winning 50 percent of the vote, parliament speaker Irakli Kobakhidze told a news conference that a runoff will be required to determine the winner under the constitution.
"It is clear there will be a second round between Salome Zurabishvili and Grigol Vashadze," he said.
According to the CEC, the voter turnout is 46.74 percent at 8:00 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).
Georgia kicked off its fifth presidential elections on Sunday to pick the head of state for the next six years.
Altogether 25 presidential candidates, namely 19 nominated and six independent ones, are running for the presidency in the elections, according to the CEC.
According to the constitutional amendments, the 2018 presidential election will be Georgia's last in which the head of state will be elected by direct ballot.
In 2024, the new president will be selected by an electoral board of 300 lawmakers and regional officials.
