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Ukraine's opposition presidential candidate
Viktor Yushchenko gestures as he addresses a 50,000-strong
crowd of supporters during a rally on Kiev's main thoroughfare and
Independence Square, November 22, 2004.
(Reuters) |
Ukraine's prime minister won the country's
bitterly fought presidential runoff
, elections officials said Monday. But election observers said the
vote did not meet international standards and the opposition alleged
fraud.
With nearly more than 99 percent of precincts counted, Prime Minister
Viktor Yanukovych had 49.42 percent, compared to Viktor Yushchenko's 46.69
percent, the Central Election Commission said.
But exit polls showed Yushchenko ahead, and he accused authorities of
vote fraud. He has urged his supporters to demonstrate against
vote-rigging and called for an emergency parliament session.
Over 10,000 people gathered in Kiev's main Independence Square.
"We will not leave this place until we win," Yushchenko told the crowd.
A prominent group of foreign observers said Ukraine's presidential
election runoff did not meet international standards for democracy.
The joint mission representing the Organization for Security and
Cooperationin Europe, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and
NATO said they observed abuse of state resources in favor of Prime
Minister Viktor Yanykovych.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-11-23 10:39