UKRAINE: Ukraine's presidential election is to be decided by a run-off on November 21st, the country's top electoral official said yesterday after the prime minister and a liberal challenger finished neck and neck in the first round.
With more than 94 per cent of the votes counted, official returns showed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich with 40.12 per cent against 39.15 for liberal Viktor Yushchenko. A candidate must score 50 per cent for an outright first-round victory.
Earlier, European monitors surveying procedures after a bitter campaign of political mud-slinging and recrimination said Sunday's election failed to meet international standards.
Official returns showed only one percentage point separating Mr Yanukovich, the establishment's candidate backed by influential neighbour Russia, from his West-leaning rival Viktor Yushchenko.
The atmosphere remained highly charged as the count proceeded slowly towards completion. Aides to Mr Yushchenko said they suspected an elaborate plan to rig the vote was afoot.
The outcome could be a defining moment in the post-Soviet development of the country of 47 million that lies at the hub of Europe and has borders with seven countries, including Russia and three new European Union members.
But Bruce George, head of a 600-strong Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe observer mission, told a news conference: "We have to conclude that the 2004 presidential election did not meet a considerable number of ... standards ... It was a step backwards from 2002 [ parliamentary] elections."
The United States and European Union had cited unfair procedures in the campaign, primarily a bias in favour of the prime minister on pro-government television stations.
At least one monitor praised the turnout of nearly 75 per cent. But many irregularities were reported, including large numbers of voters left off lists and unable to vote.
Thirteen years after breaking from Soviet rule, Ukraine faces a choice between deepening ties with the former Soviet master in Moscow or pursuing the reform policies that many of its neighbours are developing in the EU.
With more than 93 per cent of ballots counted, the prime minister had 40.14 per cent to the challenger's 39.14 per cent.
Twenty-two other runners were far behind.
Both hopefuls were conducting their own counts and each claimed the lead.