Ukrainians vote in crucial election

25 May 2014 Last updated at 11:04

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Voting preparations were disrupted by separatist insurgents in eastern parts of Ukraine, as David Stern reports

Ukrainians are going to the polls to vote in a new president after months of unrest following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

There are 18 candidates on the ballot, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country.

But pro-Russian separatists have disrupted voting in the east, stopping many polling stations from opening and smashing up ballot boxes.

Some 20 people have been killed in fighting in recent days.

Voting in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has been seriously disrupted.

There were no polling stations open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating.

The presidential elections were called after the last elected President, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.

Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", is the favourite to win.

At the scene: BBC's Mark Lowen in Donetsk

Election day is a washout in Donetsk city: none of the almost 500 polling stations are open and no election commission is operational. Some have been seized by armed separatist groups; in others, staff have been threatened and voter lists removed. Perhaps the most important election in Ukraine since independence in 1991 is simply not going to happen in one of the country's biggest cities.

In the wider region, there is some limited voting. Seven electoral commissions are functioning in areas still controlled by the Ukrainian state and two are working near Luhansk, the other breakaway eastern city. Little solace for the Kiev authorities determined that whoever is elected has some legitimacy in the east.

We found people here who were keen to vote and angered by the closure but also others happy that the election has been thwarted. "I don't want the fascists in Kiev to govern us," said Galina, one woman. "I don't feel part of Ukraine anymore because they've come here to kill us. We must join Russia instead."

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is lagging behind Mr Poroshenko in opinion polls.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a second round will take place in June.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged people to vote and "defend Ukraine".

In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would respect the outcome of the election and was prepared to work with whoever was elected president.

Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies.

At the scene: BBC's Yaroslav Lukov, in Kiev

There was a steady stream of voters - many dressed in traditional embroidered linen shirts - at a polling station in central Kiev this morning. No queues outside, but inside the room was packed.

A number of people described the poll as the most important one since Ukraine's independence in 1991. They said the country now has a chance to win a real - not a declarative - independence.

There are also hopes for a clear winner in the first round - to fully "turn the page" after the revolutionary upheaval the country has experienced.

But there is ongoing concern over the continuing deadly fighting in the east. And many voters will nervously await reaction from Russia, despite President Putin's promise to respect Ukraine's choice.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe deployed 1,000 observers but withdrew its teams from Donetsk over fears for their security.

Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after referendums on 11 May, a move not recognised by Kiev nor its Western allies.

The two regions took their cue after a disputed referendum in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

Polling stations will remain open until 20:00 (17:00 GMT), with definitive results expected on Monday.

Are you in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the elections? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with 'Ukraine' in the subject.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

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