New presidential election in Georgia to be held on 4 January 2004

A new presidential election in Georgia will be held on 4 January 2004. The Georgian Parliament (convoked in 1999) made such a decision on November 25. Deputies also elected Vice Speaker Gigi Tseriteli as Acting Chair of the Parliament by a majority.

The results of the November 2 parliamentary elections were declared invalid by a decision of the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court informed.

In compliance with this decision, the statement on the election results by proportional representation system was canceled. The court decision is final and is not a subject to appeal.

This suit was brought by the Free Elections and Young Lawyers Association non-government organizations. The Saakashvili - National Movement and Burdjanadze - Democrats election blocs also joined them.