Georgian candidates make last minute efforts for re-election

Source: Xinhua | 01-05-2008 09:09

TBILISI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Georgian former president Mikhail Saakashvili promised here on Friday to relieve poverty and improve living standards during his final campaigning before Saturday's presidential election.

Georgia's presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili  greets his supporters in Tbilisi January 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"A Georgia without poverty, it's my program," Saakashvili told a last gathering of supporters in a downtown gym before campaigning is to be barred from Friday night.

He promised to allocate funds to improve education, health care and raise pensions, in a bid to sweep in ballots from those voters who felt left behind by the soaring economy.

He also promised to safeguard Georgia's territorial integrity, which has been threatened by the breakaway region of Abkhazia, in the next four-year term if re-elected.

Opposition leaders also made last minute statements broadcast on local television networks. Most of them blamed the alleged dictatorship of Saakashvili and vowed to promote democracy and improve living standards.

Levan Gachechiladze (C), opposition candidate in  Georgia presidential election, talks to the media  as he presents his presidential programme, outside  Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, Jan. 3, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Recent polls showed that Saakashvili tops the seven-candidate list with support at around 40 percent. But he has to win 50 percent plus one vote to ensure victory, otherwise a run-off will be held between the top two candidates.

The opposition has voiced plans to protest against the election result on January 6.

Some 55 to 65 percent of the 3.3 million eligible voters is expected to cast ballots in some 3,500 polling stations, including more than 40 voting stations abroad.

Editor:Xiong Qu