Ukraine presidential elections into second round

The two main contenders will meet for a 2nd round on 21 November
after no clear winner emerged from the 1st round. The elections
process was criticised for failing to meet democratic
standards.

The two main contenders in the Ukraine Presidential elections
will meet on 21 November for a second round, an official at the
Central Election Commission announced on 1 November. No clear
winner emerged from the first round on 31 October, with Mr
Yanukovich and Mr Yushchenko respectively securing 40.12 per cent
and 39.15 per cent of the votes.  

Yushchenko, a former Prime minister, is described as a
pro-western liberal whereas outgoing Prime minister, Yanukovich,
aims to deepen ties with Moscow and other traditional partners (see
EURACTIV 29 October 2004). 

International observers criticised the election process, with
the OECD’s Bruce George describing the first round as a “step
backwards” from Ukraine’s last Parliamentary elections in 2002.
“With a heavy heart . . . we have to conclude that the . . .
elections in Ukraine did not meet a considerable number of. .
.European standards for democratic elections,” George was quoted by
the press as saying.

Washington also criticised the election, pointing at
“significant irregularities” in the run-up to the vote, including
flawed voters’ lists, according to reports from the press.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on 1 November
backed the “courage and defiance” of more than 200 TV journalists
in Ukraine who had denounced the “intimidation and political
censorship” they endured during the elections. TV management had
accused them of being “manipulated by the opposition”.

Read more with Euractiv

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