Exit Polls 2008, according to its organizers, have been designed to increase transparency of election process.

Who Commissioned?

Four networks – the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), Rustavi 2 TV, Mze TV and Adjara TV - have jointly commissioned exit polls for the January 5 presidential election and plebiscites.

Who Manages?

The Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), Ilia Chavchavadze State University and two think-tanks - the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD) and the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS) have been charged with managing the exit polls. Ukrainian Democratic Initiatives’ Foundation is a consultant to exit polls.

Who Conducts Field Works?

Six local research groups – IPM, ACT, Sarke, ISSA, ISR, ARC – have been contracted to conduct field work.

How Many Voters were Interviewed?

Exit polls will be carried out at 211 precincts and 9,846 voters were interviewed. 28%, however, refused to respond.

Margin of error of exit polls is 2%.

Critics

All opposition candidates’ election campaign offices have snubbed these exit polls as unreliable, citing that organizers were allegedly loyal to the authorities – allegations strongly denied by organizers.