Ukraine voting branded unfair

Ukraine’s parliamentary election has been branded unfair by international observers who said the result reversed earlier democratic gains the country made.

With the top opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko in jail, president Viktor Yanukovych’s Party of Regions was poised to retain its control of parliament, according to exit polls and preliminary results.

Ms Tymoshenko’s party and two other opposition groups, however, made a strong showing and were preparing to join forces to try to challenge Mr Yanukovych’s strong grip on power.