Reformist wins first round of Ukrainian election

Reformist opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko edged the prime minister in the first round of Ukraine’s presidential election, the Central Elections Commission said today after a delayed final tally.

Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych face a run-off on November 21 because neither candidate won more than 50% of last month’s vote in a crowded field of 22 other minor candidates.

The final count was announced 10 days after voting, a delay that raised questions about problems that could undermine public trust in the count of the run-off ballot.

Yushchenko was about 0.5% ahead of Yanukovych with 39.87% of the vote.

Earlier counts, with about 97% of the precincts tallied, had shown Yanukovych narrowly ahead.

The election was seen as pivotal for the democratic future of Ukraine, over which Russia still wields great influence in economic, political and military affairs.