Georgia's ruling party was on course to win a closely watched election Saturday, according to partial results that were rejected as "falsified" by pro-Western opposition parties which denounced a "constitutional coup".

The election result would indicate a new setback to the Caucasus country's bid to join the European Union and put it on a path of closer ties with neighbouring Russia.

Brussels has harshly criticised the policies of the Georgian Dream governing party and has said the election will determine Georgia's chances of joining the bloc.

With votes from more than 70 percent of precincts counted, the central election commission said Georgian Dream was leading with 53 percent, while the main opposition union was on 38 percent.

The result would give Georgian Dream 89 seats in the 150-member parliament -- enough to govern but short of the absolute majority it wants to make sweeping constitutional changes. Final results were expected on Sunday.

"Georgian Dream has secured a solid majority", the party's executive secretary, Mamuka Mdinaradze, told reporters.

Tina Bokuchava, leader of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), said the results were "falsified" and the election........

© International Business Times