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Ukrainians vote in presidential elections Ukrainians vote in presidential elections
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainians are going to the polls to vote in a new president after months of unrest following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.Ukrainians are going to the polls to vote in a new president after months of unrest following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.
Eighteen candidates are competing in the contest, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country. There are 18 candidates on the ballot, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country.
But pro-Russian separatists in the east who oppose the election have threatened to disrupt the voting process. But pro-Russian separatists have disrupted voting in the east, stopping many polling stations from opening and smashing up ballot boxes.
Some 20 people have been killed amid an upsurge of fighting between insurgents and government forces in recent days. Some 20 people have been killed in fighting in recent days.
The violence in the east, particularly Donetsk and Luhansk, has seriously disrupted preparations for the polls. Voting in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has been seriously disrupted.
Seven out of 12 district election commissions have opened across the region of Donetsk, and none in the cities of Donetsk or Horlivka, the BBC has learned. There were no polling stations open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating.
The presidential elections were called after the last elected President, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.The presidential elections were called after the last elected President, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.
Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", is the favourite to win.Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", is the favourite to win.
At the scene: BBC's Mark Lowen in DonetskAt the scene: BBC's Mark Lowen in Donetsk
Election day is a washout in Donetsk city: none of the almost 500 polling stations are open and no election commission is operational. Some have been seized by armed separatist groups; in others staff have been threatened and voter lists removed. Perhaps the most important election in Ukraine since independence in 1991 is simply not going to happen in one of the country's biggest cities. Election day is a washout in Donetsk city: none of the almost 500 polling stations are open and no election commission is operational. Some have been seized by armed separatist groups; in others, staff have been threatened and voter lists removed. Perhaps the most important election in Ukraine since independence in 1991 is simply not going to happen in one of the country's biggest cities.
In the wider region, there is some limited voting. Seven electoral commissions are functioning in areas still controlled by the Ukrainian state and two are working near Luhansk, the other breakaway eastern city. Little solace for the Kiev authorities determined that whoever is elected has some legitimacy in the east.In the wider region, there is some limited voting. Seven electoral commissions are functioning in areas still controlled by the Ukrainian state and two are working near Luhansk, the other breakaway eastern city. Little solace for the Kiev authorities determined that whoever is elected has some legitimacy in the east.
We found people here who were keen to vote and angered by the closure but also others happy that the election has been thwarted. "I don't want the fascists in Kiev to govern us", said Galina, one woman. "I don't feel part of Ukraine anymore because they've come here to kill us. We must join Russia instead." We found people here who were keen to vote and angered by the closure but also others happy that the election has been thwarted. "I don't want the fascists in Kiev to govern us," said Galina, one woman. "I don't feel part of Ukraine anymore because they've come here to kill us. We must join Russia instead."
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is lagging behind Mr Poroshenko in opinion polls.Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is lagging behind Mr Poroshenko in opinion polls.
In order to win outright, one candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote, otherwise a second round of voting will be held on 15 June. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a second round will take place in June.
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged people to vote and "defend Ukraine" in a televised address on Saturday. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged people to vote and "defend Ukraine".
"This will be the expression of the will of Ukrainians from the west, east, north and south," he said.
In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would respect the outcome of the election and was prepared to work with whoever was elected president.In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would respect the outcome of the election and was prepared to work with whoever was elected president.
It comes after months of tension with Russia, which has been blamed by Kiev and its Western allies of stoking separatist sentiment in eastern parts of Ukraine. President Putin has denied the claims. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies.
Security At the scene: BBC's Yaroslav Lukov, in Kiev
Over 1,000 observers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have been deployed nationwide at polling stations. There was a steady stream of voters - many dressed in traditional embroidered linen shirts - at a polling station in central Kiev this morning. No queues outside, but inside the room was packed.
But the OSCE has pulled out most of its observers from the eastern Donetsk region over fears for their security. A number of people described the poll as the most important one since Ukraine's independence in 1991. They said the country now has a chance to win a real - not a declarative - independence.
Some pro-Russian separatists have warned people against voting, with reports of election officials and voter lists being been seized at gunpoint. There are also hopes for a clear winner in the first round - to fully "turn the page" after the revolutionary upheaval the country has experienced.
"If necessary we will revert to the use of force," Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. But there is ongoing concern over the continuing deadly fighting in the east. And many voters will nervously await reaction from Russia, despite President Putin's promise to respect Ukraine's choice.
Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence from Ukraine after holding referendums on 11 May, a move not recognised by Kiev nor its Western allies. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe deployed 1,000 observers but withdrew its teams from Donetsk over fears for their security.
Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after referendums on 11 May, a move not recognised by Kiev nor its Western allies.
The two regions took their cue after a disputed referendum in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.The two regions took their cue after a disputed referendum in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.
More than 75,000 police and volunteers are said to have mobilised to ensure security during the vote.
Polling stations will remain open until 20:00 (17:00 GMT), with definitive results expected on Monday.Polling stations will remain open until 20:00 (17:00 GMT), with definitive results expected on Monday.
Are you in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the elections? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with 'Ukraine' in the subject.Are you in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the elections? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with 'Ukraine' in the subject.
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