Election posters will remain in evidence for some time

The decision by the court in the former Soviet republic is final "and cannot be contested", judges said.

Georgia's long-time leader, Eduard Shevardnadze, resigned on Sunday after three weeks of demonstrations against the much-criticised elections.

Acting President Nino Burjanadze has called for new polls to be held within 45 days, as the constitution requires.

International observers said the elections were marred by "spectacular" irregularities.

Due to mass falsifications at the elections, the powers of top legislature will be exercised by the parliament of the 1999 Nino Burjanadze Interim Georgian president

On Tuesday Georgian State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze announced his resignation, following the departure of Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili on Monday.

Both men were key ministers in Mr Shevardnadze's administration.

"I am a person who does not change his principles and because of this I have made my decision to resign," Mr Jorbenadze told a news conference in Tbilisi.

The election result, giving victory to supporters of Mr Shevardnadze, was at odds with opinion polls suggesting they would lose their majority in parliament.

"Due to mass falsifications at the parliamentary elections, the powers of top legislature will be exercised by the parliament of the 1999 convocation," said Ms Burjanadze, who was also the Speaker of the outgoing assembly.

Mr Shevardnadze resigned after opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili gave him an ultimatum to quit at talks mediated by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

Russia's Georgian interests US welcomes new leaders Shevardnadze career ends

Mr Saakashvili, who leads the National Movement, has said he will run for president.

Mr Shevardnadze has said he has no intention of leaving Georgia.

There was speculation that the former leader would leave Georgia following an invitation from the German Government to move there.

But on Monday he said: "Although I love Germany very much, my homeland is Georgia and I owe it to her to stay here."

Ms Burjanadze has promised to protect the former president if he stays.

International reaction

The US has developed strong interests in Georgia since its independence and is the main backer of a pipeline designed to bring oil from the Caspian sea to the West via Georgia.

But the European Union struck a note of caution, saying democratic elections must be held to "restore a climate of trust and confidence".

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed reservations about the way in which Mr Shevardnadze was forced from power.

Russia and Georgia have had tense relations since Georgia became independent with the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Russia accuses Georgia of harbouring Chechen militants, while Georgia accuses Moscow of backing separatist movements in the country.