Georgia will ensure a fair, open, transparent and democratic presidential election, the head of the Caucasus nation's election watchdog said on Friday.
"The election will be held in a fair environment," Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Levan Tarkhnishvili told a press conference in the capital Tbilisi.
The CEC has accredited some 3,000 international and domestic observers to monitor the snap election, in which former President Mikhail Saakashvili is seeking re-election.
Tarkhnishvili criticized the opposition parties' allegations of election rigging, saying the opposition is taking the allegations as a fact.
The opposition parties have claimed they will launch protests on Sunday against the election results.
Recent polls showed Saakashvili is the favorite among the seven candidates with around 40 percent of voters' preferences, but he must garner 50 percent plus one vote to ensure victory. Otherwise, a run-off will be held between the top two candidates.
"There are also representatives from the opposition parties who are members of the CEC and Supreme Election Commission and are organizing the election," he said, noting the election will be carried out in line with international criteria.
Final results of the election in the former Soviet republic are expected eight days after the vote, which is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 5.
Source: Xinhua
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