The Georgian Dream opposition coalition, led by billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, is leading the parliamentary elections with 51 percent of the vote, exit polls by Rustavi 2 and Imedi TV say.

The ruling United National Movement (UNM), led by President Mikheil Saakashvili, is trailing with 41 percent of the vote.

Georgia voted in parliamentary elections on Monday amid heated rhetoric from its two major political forces and fears of post-poll violence in this small, yet strategically important, South Caucasus country with aspirations of EU and NATO membership.