A Ukrainian opposition party claimed mass violations at local and regional elections, which the ex-Soviet republic was holding on Sunday.
Ukrainians are going to polls on Sunday to cast their ballots in local and regional elections widely seen as a popularity test for President Viktor Yanukovych.
However, the opposition Batkyvshchina (Fatherland) party led by ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko who had lost presidential elections toYanukovych early this year claimed that from 20% to 30% of polling stations across Ukraine did not open on time while local authorities failed to ensure normal organizational work on the day of voting.
"The chairmen of regional administrations and representatives of local authorities have been so engrossed in falsifications and efforts to produce high results for the [ruling] Party of Regions that they have completely failed to make proper arrangements for the electoral process," Mykola Tomenko, deputy head of the Batkyvshchina party, said.
He said many ballot papers had been reprinted on the eve of elections and the names of candidates in many ballots were indicated incorrectly, adding that people had to stand in line at polling stations, which prevented their normal work.
Ukrainian authorities, however, have said that the elections were proceeding in an organized and calm manner.
Opposition parties also accused the Party of Regions of using "administrative resources," including plans to take voters to polling stations in state-owned vehicles. There were also reports that state-employed voters were pressurized to vote for Party of Regions' candidates.
Yanukovych dismissed all accusations and pledged that any election fraud would be met with the "utmost severity."
Analysts say that Tymoshenko's Batkyvshchina party would focus on winning in its traditional strongholds in western and central parts of Ukraine. However, she would face bitter rivalry from the ultra-right nationalist Svoboda Party led by Oleh Tyahnybok.
The pro-presidential Party of Regions, which has no absolute parliamentary majority, is seeking to strengthen its positions across the country. The elections are also seen as a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming parliamentary polls.
The main rivals of the Party of Regions would be its parliament coalition allies, Sergey Tigipko's Strong Ukraine Party and the Communist Party of Ukraine.
According to recent media reports, the Party of Regions has the highest average support of 30%, compared with 8% of Tymoshenko's party. Strong Ukraine is forecasted to receive some 7% of the vote, communists and Svoboda Party are thought to garner about 3% each.
All the parties will clash to win over undecided voters, who make up a hefty 20%.
There is no minimum turnout for the election to be considered valid.
KIEV, October 31 (RIA Novosti)
