12:38
25.5.2014
Latest update from our news desk:
Voting is under way in Ukraine's presidential election, with pro-Russian separatists who control of much of two eastern regions disrupting the vote.
In the capital, Kyiv, long queues were reported at some polling stations, Kyiv, while most polling stations remained closed in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. In Donetsk, separatists publicly smashed ballot boxes.
The Central Election Commission said that by 1000 Prague time, national turnout stood at more than17 percent.
After casting his vote in Kyiv, acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned: “All attempts to wreck the election made by Russia and Russian-funded terrorists are bound to fail."
Eighteen candidates are competing to become Ukraine's next leader.
Polls show billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko with a commanding lead, but short of the absolute majority needed to win in the first round.
His nearest challenger is former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
In the capital, Kyiv, long queues were reported at some polling stations, Kyiv, while most polling stations remained closed in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. In Donetsk, separatists publicly smashed ballot boxes.
The Central Election Commission said that by 1000 Prague time, national turnout stood at more than17 percent.
After casting his vote in Kyiv, acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned: “All attempts to wreck the election made by Russia and Russian-funded terrorists are bound to fail."
Eighteen candidates are competing to become Ukraine's next leader.
Polls show billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko with a commanding lead, but short of the absolute majority needed to win in the first round.
His nearest challenger is former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
12:39
25.5.2014
12:40
25.5.2014
12:45
25.5.2014
From "The Kyiv Post's" live blog:
High-level OSCE delegation visits Donetsk on May 24
3:17 p.m. -- A high-level delegation of observers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe went to Donetsk on May 24, to assess the voting situation and encourage people to vote. It appears, however, that no voting is taking place in the city of Donetsk on May 25, while Donetsk Oblast has some polling stations open.
The delegation included: R. Spencer Oliver, OSCE Parliament Assembly secretary general; Ikka Kanerva, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; Joao Soares, special coordinator of the OSCE’s short-term observation mission for Ukraine’s 2014 presidential election; and Chrystia Freeland, the journalist and member of Canada’s parliament.
Richard Solash, communications director of the OSCE PA, said the delegation met with an adviser to interim Donetsk Governor and other election official. He said it is hoped that “their presence should send the message” for people to vote.
Solash would not confirm reports that the delegation, which stayed only several hours in Donetsk, were flown to Donetsk in the private jet of billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, saying only that the delegation “got their by private arrangement.”
The delegation included: R. Spencer Oliver, OSCE Parliament Assembly secretary general; Ikka Kanerva, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; Joao Soares, special coordinator of the OSCE’s short-term observation mission for Ukraine’s 2014 presidential election; and Chrystia Freeland, the journalist and member of Canada’s parliament.
Richard Solash, communications director of the OSCE PA, said the delegation met with an adviser to interim Donetsk Governor and other election official. He said it is hoped that “their presence should send the message” for people to vote.
Solash would not confirm reports that the delegation, which stayed only several hours in Donetsk, were flown to Donetsk in the private jet of billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, saying only that the delegation “got their by private arrangement.”
12:46
25.5.2014
12:48
25.5.2014
12:54
25.5.2014
Narrative that Poroshenko won in first round is gaining momentum:
12:56
25.5.2014
Outside the Akhmetov residence in Donetsk
12:57
25.5.2014