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Rivals seek Ukraine poll victory Rivals seek Ukraine poll victory
(about 3 hours later)
Ukrainians are voting in their third national election in as many years. Ukrainians have voted in their third national election in as many years.
The parliamentary poll was called by President Viktor Yushchenko, in an attempt to break the political deadlock with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.The parliamentary poll was called by President Viktor Yushchenko, in an attempt to break the political deadlock with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
However, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in the capital Kiev says no one party is expected to gain an outright victory.However, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in the capital Kiev says no one party is expected to gain an outright victory.
She says forming a coalition could, given past experience, take months and lead to further political turmoil. The results should be known on Monday.She says forming a coalition could, given past experience, take months and lead to further political turmoil. The results should be known on Monday.
By 1600 local time (1300 GMT) on Sunday, turnout was about 43%, Russian news agency Tass quoted election officials as saying. Some 50% of the country's 37 million registered voters must have cast votes in order for the ballot to be valid.
Some 50% of the country's 37 million registered voters must turn out in order for the ballot to be valid.
There's been enough chaos, stagnation and false reforms Viktor YushchenkoUkrainian President Q&A: Ukrainian electionThere's been enough chaos, stagnation and false reforms Viktor YushchenkoUkrainian President Q&A: Ukrainian election
A tight contest is expected between parties siding with the Western-leaning president, who led the "Orange Revolution" of 2004, and allies of Mr Yanukovych, who favour closer ties with Russia. A tight contest was expected between parties siding with the Western-leaning president, who led the "Orange Revolution" of 2004, and allies of Mr Yanukovych, who favour closer ties with Russia.
Mr Yushchenko and his Orange Revolution ally Yulia Tymoshenko appear ready to join forces again, despite disagreements in the past three years. Mr Yushchenko and and his Orange Revolution ally Yulia Tymoshenko appear ready to join forces again, despite disagreements in the past three years.
The president made Ms Tymoshenko his prime minister in 2004, but their government was brought down by infighting.The president made Ms Tymoshenko his prime minister in 2004, but their government was brought down by infighting.
Mr Yushchenko now hopes the alliance of his bloc, Our Ukraine - People's Self Defence, with the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc will be enough to defeat Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions.Mr Yushchenko now hopes the alliance of his bloc, Our Ukraine - People's Self Defence, with the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc will be enough to defeat Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions.
Polling stations are open for 15 hours, closing at 2200 local time (1900 GMT).
'Fundamental change''Fundamental change'
Our correspondent says turnout is expected to be high, even though many Ukrainians feel frustrated with the country's politicians. Our correspondent says turnout was expected to be high, even though many Ukrainians feel frustrated with the country's politicians.
She adds that 20 political parties are taking part, but only three look certain to get enough votes to reach the 3% threshold needed to obtain seats in the 450-seat parliament, or Rada. She adds that 20 political parties took part, but only three look certain to get enough votes to reach the 3% threshold needed to obtain seats in the 450-seat parliament, or Rada.
Ukrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In picturesUkrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In pictures
Speaking on TV on Saturday, Mr Yushchenko said there had been "enough chaos, stagnation and false reforms" in his country.Speaking on TV on Saturday, Mr Yushchenko said there had been "enough chaos, stagnation and false reforms" in his country.
"Either you vote for changes in your lives or you vote to bring back the past and those who have divided us and infected the very body of our nation," he said."Either you vote for changes in your lives or you vote to bring back the past and those who have divided us and infected the very body of our nation," he said.
After casting his vote, Mr Yanukovych pledged to form a coalition with "pragmatic political forces".After casting his vote, Mr Yanukovych pledged to form a coalition with "pragmatic political forces".
"Ukrainian people will decide today who is the most pragmatic," he said."Ukrainian people will decide today who is the most pragmatic," he said.
The two men were rivals in the presidential elections of 2004, during which Mr Yushchenko suffered dioxin poisoning and was left pockmarked.The two men were rivals in the presidential elections of 2004, during which Mr Yushchenko suffered dioxin poisoning and was left pockmarked.
Mr Yanukovych won the initial poll, but the result was annulled after peaceful protests for fresh elections, which became known as the Orange Revolution.Mr Yanukovych won the initial poll, but the result was annulled after peaceful protests for fresh elections, which became known as the Orange Revolution.
Mr Yushchenko won the new poll, but Mr Yanukovych made a comeback as prime minister in March 2006 when his Party of the Regions became the largest in parliament.Mr Yushchenko won the new poll, but Mr Yanukovych made a comeback as prime minister in March 2006 when his Party of the Regions became the largest in parliament.