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| Ukrainians vote in presidential elections | Ukrainians vote in presidential elections |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People in Ukraine have taken part in a presidential election 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. | There are 18 candidates on the ballot, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country. |
| But pro-Russian separatists 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. | Some 20 people have been killed in fighting in recent days. |
| Voting in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has been seriously disrupted. | 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. | 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 Mr Yanukovych was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies. | The presidential elections were called after Mr Yanukovych was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies. |
| At 15:00 (12:00 GMT) national turnout stood at more than 40%, Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted election authorities as saying. | At 15:00 (12:00 GMT) national turnout stood at more than 40%, Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted election authorities as saying. |
| Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", is the favourite to win. | Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", is the favourite to win. |
| "I am convinced that this election must finally bring peace to Ukraine... stop chaos, stop bandit terror in the east,'' Mr Poroshenko said after casting his ballot in Kiev, | "I am convinced that this election must finally bring peace to Ukraine... stop chaos, stop bandit terror in the east,'' Mr Poroshenko said after casting his ballot in Kiev, |
| BBC reporters on the ground | BBC reporters on the ground |
| "Huge numbers of cameras and reporters from Ukraine and across the world were there too as - with his wife and children beside him - [front-runner Petro Poroshenko] shouted "Glory to Ukraine" and dropped his ballot paper in the box." | "Huge numbers of cameras and reporters from Ukraine and across the world were there too as - with his wife and children beside him - [front-runner Petro Poroshenko] shouted "Glory to Ukraine" and dropped his ballot paper in the box." |
| Daniel Sandford, Kiev | Daniel Sandford, Kiev |
| "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." | "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." |
| Mark Lowen, Donetsk | Mark Lowen, Donetsk |
| "You can not only feel the tension here, you can easily see it. On our way to the town of Krasnoarmeisk, we found a heavily armed checkpoint of the Ukrainian army. The soldiers are very nervous." | "You can not only feel the tension here, you can easily see it. On our way to the town of Krasnoarmeisk, we found a heavily armed checkpoint of the Ukrainian army. The soldiers are very nervous." |
| Olga Ivshina, Krasnoarmeisk | Olga Ivshina, Krasnoarmeisk |
| BBC reporters witness Ukraine vote | BBC reporters witness Ukraine vote |
| Other candidates include former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Dmytro Yarosh, leader of the ultra-nationalist Right Sector party, and two prominent politicians from the east, Serhiy Tyhypko and Mykhaylo Dobkin. | Other candidates include former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Dmytro Yarosh, leader of the ultra-nationalist Right Sector party, and two prominent politicians from the east, Serhiy Tyhypko and Mykhaylo Dobkin. |
| If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a second round will take place in June. | 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". | Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged people to vote and "defend Ukraine". |
| On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respect the outcome and was prepared to work with whomever was elected president. | On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respect the outcome and was prepared to work with whomever was elected president. |
| Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies. | Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies. |
| In related developments: | In related developments: |
| Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after referendums on 11 May, a move not recognised by Kiev nor its Western allies. | 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 the disputed referendum in Crimea that preceded Russia's annexation. | The two regions took their cue after the disputed referendum in Crimea that preceded Russia's annexation. |
| Polling stations closed at 20:00 (17:00 GMT), with definitive results expected on Monday. | |
| Are you in Ukraine? Are you voting in the elections? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with 'Ukraine' in the subject. | Are you in Ukraine? Are you 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. | 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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