Nika Melia, the incumbent head of the United National Movement opposition party, on Monday congratulated Levan Khabeishvili on his victory in the election of the party chairman. 

He said he stayed in the party as long as Mikheil Saakashvili, imprisoned former president and the party founder, was in custody. 

"I congratulate Levan Khabeishvili on his victory, I wish him to rule the party with dignity and truth”, Melia said. 

Levan Khabeishvili has won the race with 52.58 percent of the vote, with Melia coming second with 40 percent of the vote, two other candidates, Nona Mamulashvili and Giorgi Mumladze, have received less than four percent of the vote.