Ukraine: Presidential poll

Early results on Monday of Ukraine presidential poll on sunday show that country of 46 million people in midst to link the European Union or Russia,now faces a Feb. 7 run-off vote between former PM and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and populist Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as sunday presidential election produced no clear winner.Ukrainians voted on Sunday in the first presidential elections since the 2004 Orange Revolution, in a ballot set to determine the ex-Soviet republic's relations with Russia and Europe.Election campaigning for 18 candidates in Ukraine's presidential race came to an end on Saturday 24 hours before presidential polls. Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich will most likely win the first round of elections and hold a run-off election with current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as per political analyst. Tymoshenko's statement on the need to toughen domestic policies to pull the country out of political and economic recession, and her criticism of him on Monday for his refusal to take part in televised debates."I cannot but take your refusal to hold open honest discussions as other than common cowardice," Tymoshenko said. "If you don't think you have the brains and political experience to take part in televised debates, you should admit that you are not ready to lead the country, rule it or represent it in the world." Two contenders Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the opposition Party of Regions, and current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are seen as the main contenders for the president's post.Both Yanukovych and Tymoshenko have pledged to improve ties with Russia, soured over Kiev's NATO bid, gas disputes and the former Soviet republic's support for Georgia in the August 2008 war over South Ossetia.Yanukovych has indicated he would follow Russia in recognizing the former Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia if elected, and has also criticized attempts to blame Russia for the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine.Yanukovych said that unlike Russia, Ukraine has no strong "state machinery," and accused President Viktor Yushchenko and the prime minister of "putting on a free-of-charge performance for the country and the rest of the world in the past five years." Tymoshenko has pledged that if elected president in January 17 polls she would seek EU membership for the ex-Soviet state as soon as possible."Yanukovych will be ahead probably by 12%. Exit election polls on Sunday show a 15% lead in favor of Yanukovych over Tymoshenko, then she will not have a chance in the run-offs. Tymoshenko loses the first round by 10%-15% to Yanukovych, then street protests and legal suits will be brought to the country's Arbitration Court by Tymoshenko. Another candidate Serhiy Tyhypko, favored in third place, could play a "key figure" in a run-off election between Yanukovych and Tymoshenko. According to the political analyst, Tyhypko is currently taking votes away from Yanukovych, which Tymoshenko needs to secure her position. Tyhypko would ask his constituents to vote for one of the other two candidates in the run-off. Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych said he has not ruled out introducing several amendments to the Constitution if he wins the January 17 elections. Incumbent President Viktor Yushchenko, who came to power after the 2004 Orange Revolution, which was triggered by allegations of fraud after Yanukovych was declared the winner of later discredited elections, will receive only 1.5% to 3.5% in the first round, ultimately losing the presidential chair, an analyst said.