UKRAINE: Opposition candidate Victor Yushchenko won the largest number of votes in yesterday's presidential election with his party accusing the government of election tampering.
In a country tense after weeks of confrontations between police and opposition parties, exit polls gave Mr Yushchenko 43 per cent of the vote, compared to the incumbent prime minister, Victor Yanukovych, who got 36 per cent.
However, neither candidate won an absolute majority and a second round of voting has been called for a run-off election in two weeks time.
Voters in at least four regions were reported to have arrived to cast their ballots only to find they were not on electoral lists.
Amid fears of a repeat of violence during opposition protests last weekend, Kiev was heavily guarded yesterday. An opposition protest was cancelled last night after city authorities warned that they might declare a state of emergency, thus allowing martial law.
Interior Minister Mykola Bilokin said he would bring in troops to enhance police forces guarding the capital.
The campaign for the second round of voting is unlikely to be relaxed. Opposition parties are likely to renew calls for more air time in a bid to end what they term official intimidation of opposition candidates. This week 150 journalists from six private TV channels signed a protest letter accusing the state of censorship.
Mr Yushchenko has publicly accused the government of "criminal" actions. As he cast his vote yesterday, he said: "I want to live in a proper country where people respect honest leaders and do not fear them."
The United States has warned Ukraine that it faces possible sanctions if election violations are found.
Washington's Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage warned last week that the US would consider banning visits from officials blamed for election fraud.