The BBC reports that thousands of Georgians have once again protested against the outcome of last weekend’s presidential election called early after a state of emergency declared in November was lifted. The precise number of those attending the rally is so far unknown.

Thousands of opposition supporters have taken to the streets in Georgia in protest at what they say were rigged presidential elections last weekend.

Those gathered in the capital, Tbilisi, are demanding a second round of voting.

Pro-Western leader Mikhail Saakashvili polled 53%, narrowly averting a run-off against his nearest rival, Levan Gachechiladze, who won 25% of the vote.

[…]

But most of the opposition’s complaints about alleged violations have been rejected by the Georgian election commission and the courts.

The BBC’s Neil Arun, who was at the rally, said much of the protesters’ anger was directed at Western observers who have said the polls were essentially democratic, although there were significant problems.

The authorities have warned the demonstrators they will not tolerate any more civil unrest.

Interestingly, Marilisa Lorusso’s blog comments on the remark by a local analyst here in Armenia who says that the “traditions” of Georgia are more “revolutionary” than its two neighbors in the South Caucasus.

Thus the Armenian expert Alexander Iskandarian said, mentioning to the potential influence of Georgian Presidential Election on the incoming Armenian one (02/19). The same point of view is shared by the Azeri specialist Razim Agaev, very doubtful that any other South Caucasian republic would be able to raise such a popular participation.

The blog also says that an exhibition of reportedly falsified election protocols has gone on display in Tbilisi dedicated to U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza who called the election “democratic.” Funny.