There are seven candidates contesting in the January 5 early elections for the five-year presidential term.

Below is the list of candidate in accordance to their numbers in the ballot paper:

1. Levan Gachechiladze – nominated by the nine-party opposition coalition;

2. Badri Patarkatsishvili – a business and media tycoon and independent candidate;

3. Davit Gamkrelidze – the leader of opposition New Rights Party;

4. Shalva Natelashvili – the leader of opposition Labor Party;

5. Mikheil Saakashvili – the ex-president and leader of ruling National Movement Party;

6. Giorgi Maisashvili – the leader of Party of Future;

7. Irina Sarishvili – the leader of Hope party.

According to the law a candidate can withdraw from the race before midday, January 4. 

Second round of vote will be needed if neither of the candidates garners 50% plus one vote on January 5. The second round will be held after two weeks.