Polling stations close in Ukraine’s presidential election, vote count in progress

Election day has concluded in Ukraine as all polling stations have now been closed. At least 45 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot in the election, according to official data.

According to official exit poll data, comedian-turned politician Volodymyr Zelensky has a solid lead with some 30 percent of votes while the incumbent president Petro Poroshenko is second with 17.8 percent. Veteran Ukrainian politician Yulia Tymoshenko is in third position with around 14 percent of votes.

Ukrainians have been choosing from a record list of 39 candidates for the highest office in the nation. If no one wins over 50 percent of the vote, a second round will be held in three weeks. Today’s vote, however, has been marred with allegations of numerous violations.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said it received over 1,700 complaints and opened 19 criminal cases during Sunday’s election day. The election commission, however, said no significant violations have happened.

The Central Election Commission said it received just 11 complaints about irregularities. “As of now, the election of the president of Ukraine proceeds in a regular way, no systemic violations have been established so far,” a commission spokesperson told journalists.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!