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Orange bloc edges to poll victory Orange bloc edges to poll victory
(about 3 hours later)
Ukraine's Orange Revolution parties say they have won enough votes in tight early parliamentary elections to form a governing coalition.Ukraine's Orange Revolution parties say they have won enough votes in tight early parliamentary elections to form a governing coalition.
A near-final tally gives the alliance of Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko a slim lead over a rival party of PM Viktor Yanukovych.A near-final tally gives the alliance of Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko a slim lead over a rival party of PM Viktor Yanukovych.
Mr Yanukovych - whose party has won the single biggest share of the vote - has also claimed victory.Mr Yanukovych - whose party has won the single biggest share of the vote - has also claimed victory.
Coalition talks will now decide which bloc forms the next government. Mr Yushchenko on Wednesday urged all rival camps to start coalition talks.
President Yushchenko is due to make a statement at 1230 local time (0930 GMT) on the formation of a coalition, his office said. The president had earlier demanded an urgent investigation into delays in the counting of votes in some regions.
Earlier, Mr Yushchenko demanded an urgent investigation into delays in the counting of votes in some regions. Several parties have voiced accusations of vote-rigging, and legal challenges are expected in courts.
Both rival camps have voiced accusations of vote-rigging, and legal challenges are expected in courts.
Europe's main election-monitoring body, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, earlier said the elections had generally met international standards.Europe's main election-monitoring body, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, earlier said the elections had generally met international standards.
Horse-tradingHorse-trading
Just over 60% of the 37.5m eligible voters cast their ballots on Sunday, Ukraine's electoral commission said.Just over 60% of the 37.5m eligible voters cast their ballots on Sunday, Ukraine's electoral commission said.
Results based on a count of 99.25% of the vote showed that Mr Yanukovych's Party of Regions (PR), which favours closer ties with Russia, would be the biggest in parliament with 34.22%.Results based on a count of 99.25% of the vote showed that Mr Yanukovych's Party of Regions (PR), which favours closer ties with Russia, would be the biggest in parliament with 34.22%.
The PR also has the support of the Communists, who secured 5.37% of the vote, giving the alliance a combined total of nearly 40%.The PR also has the support of the Communists, who secured 5.37% of the vote, giving the alliance a combined total of nearly 40%.
Mr Yanukovych has said his party will form a "unity government"
The Yulia Tymoshenko bloc (BYT) polled 30.83% of the vote, while Mr Yushchenko's Our Ukraine-People's Self Defence (NUNS) had 14.22%.The Yulia Tymoshenko bloc (BYT) polled 30.83% of the vote, while Mr Yushchenko's Our Ukraine-People's Self Defence (NUNS) had 14.22%.
This gave the Orange allies a combined total of just over 45% of the vote.This gave the Orange allies a combined total of just over 45% of the vote.
The backing of the so far unaligned centrist Lytvyn bloc - which is currently holding 3.96% of the vote - could further strengthen the Orange camp.The backing of the so far unaligned centrist Lytvyn bloc - which is currently holding 3.96% of the vote - could further strengthen the Orange camp.
However, Mr Yanukovych's hopes of an alliance with the Socialists have all but dashed.However, Mr Yanukovych's hopes of an alliance with the Socialists have all but dashed.
Having polled only 2.87%, the party is not expected to clear the 3% threshold required to enter the parliament.Having polled only 2.87%, the party is not expected to clear the 3% threshold required to enter the parliament.
Battle for influenceBattle for influence
Mrs Tymoshenko has said she wants to form a new coalition government with Mr Yushchenko's party - an old ally from the 2004 Orange Revolution.Mrs Tymoshenko has said she wants to form a new coalition government with Mr Yushchenko's party - an old ally from the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Ukrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In picturesUkrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In pictures
But Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept defeat in the poll and thousands of supporters of his Regions Party have been gathering in Kiev's main Independence Square.But Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept defeat in the poll and thousands of supporters of his Regions Party have been gathering in Kiev's main Independence Square.
"This significant support from the Ukrainian people... gives carte blanche to the Party of Regions to form a new, successful government," Mr Yanukovych said on Monday."This significant support from the Ukrainian people... gives carte blanche to the Party of Regions to form a new, successful government," Mr Yanukovych said on Monday.
The snap election was the third national poll in three years.The snap election was the third national poll in three years.
It was called in an attempt to resolve a long-running power struggle between West-leaning Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych, who is viewed as being closer to Russia.It was called in an attempt to resolve a long-running power struggle between West-leaning Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych, who is viewed as being closer to Russia.
Coalition horse-trading after last year's parliamentary elections took months and plunged Ukraine into the political turmoil which helped trigger the latest snap poll.Coalition horse-trading after last year's parliamentary elections took months and plunged Ukraine into the political turmoil which helped trigger the latest snap poll.
The EU, the US and Russia are all vying for influence in Ukraine, which straddles key Russian gas export routes to energy-hungry EU nations.The EU, the US and Russia are all vying for influence in Ukraine, which straddles key Russian gas export routes to energy-hungry EU nations.
On Tuesday, Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom warned it would cut gas supplies to Ukraine unless a $1.3bn (£650m) bill is paid this month.On Tuesday, Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom warned it would cut gas supplies to Ukraine unless a $1.3bn (£650m) bill is paid this month.
Previous disputes between Russia and Ukraine over gas supplies have led to cuts in gas deliveries to Europe.Previous disputes between Russia and Ukraine over gas supplies have led to cuts in gas deliveries to Europe.