Tbilisi, 9 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Georgian opposition leaders say they plan to hold a mass rally in the capital Tbilisi today to demand the cancellation of parliamentary elections they say have been marred by falsification by the government of President Eduard Shevardnadze (pictured). Thousands of opposition supporters marched peacefully in Tbilisi on Saturday to demand a new vote and the resignation of President Shevardnadze. Large numbers of police monitored the protest but did not intervene.
A small group of protesters briefly blocked the road to Shevardnadze's presidential office, but later dispersed.
With one week passed since the election was held, authorities have still not released final results.
Electoral commission chief Nana Devdariani, noting complaints of irregularities, said the final results would be announced by 20 November.
Partial official results have put the pro-Shevardnadze For A New Georgia bloc and the opposition Revival party vying for the lead, with the opposition National Movement in third.
A small group of protesters briefly blocked the road to Shevardnadze's presidential office, but later dispersed.
With one week passed since the election was held, authorities have still not released final results.
Electoral commission chief Nana Devdariani, noting complaints of irregularities, said the final results would be announced by 20 November.
Partial official results have put the pro-Shevardnadze For A New Georgia bloc and the opposition Revival party vying for the lead, with the opposition National Movement in third.