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Ukraine crisis: Snap elections for parliament Ukraine crisis: Snap elections for parliament
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian voters are going to the polls in snap elections for a new parliament.Ukrainian voters are going to the polls in snap elections for a new parliament.
President Petro Poroshenko called the poll as he aims to cement a new direction for the country after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders earlier this year.President Petro Poroshenko called the poll as he aims to cement a new direction for the country after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders earlier this year.
He made a brief unexpected visit on Sunday to restive eastern regions where a pro-Russian insurgency is continuing.He made a brief unexpected visit on Sunday to restive eastern regions where a pro-Russian insurgency is continuing.
About three million people in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not take part in the vote.About three million people in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not take part in the vote.
The separatists in eastern Ukraine plan to hold their own polls next month.The separatists in eastern Ukraine plan to hold their own polls next month.
Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, will also not take part.Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, will also not take part.
The vote also comes amid an energy crisis, with Russia cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine in June in a dispute over unpaid bills.The vote also comes amid an energy crisis, with Russia cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine in June in a dispute over unpaid bills.
Ukraine's economy is collapsing, with GDP forecast to fall between 7 and 10% this year.Ukraine's economy is collapsing, with GDP forecast to fall between 7 and 10% this year.
Observers 'concerned'Observers 'concerned'
On Sunday, Mr Poroshenko briefly visited the town of Kramatorsk, in an area of Donetsk region recaptured by government forces from separatist rebels. Turnout in the election was just over 40% by 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT), the central electoral commission said, four hours before polls were due to close.
Mr Poroshenko briefly visited the town of Kramatorsk, in an area of Donetsk region recaptured by government forces from separatist rebels.
"I have come here to defend the electoral rights of service personnel," he said."I have come here to defend the electoral rights of service personnel," he said.
"Today on territory liberated by Ukrainian servicemen they will vote for the European future of our country.""Today on territory liberated by Ukrainian servicemen they will vote for the European future of our country."
International observers have expressed "serious concerns" over the effect the violence in the east of the country is having on the election.International observers have expressed "serious concerns" over the effect the violence in the east of the country is having on the election.
The head of an Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observer mission, Swedish MP Kent Harstedt, said this was the most challenging of all the elections he had observed.The head of an Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observer mission, Swedish MP Kent Harstedt, said this was the most challenging of all the elections he had observed.
He feared it would difficult to reach out to hundreds of thousands of displaced people in eastern Ukraine, but also said he hoped the poll could be a turning point.He feared it would difficult to reach out to hundreds of thousands of displaced people in eastern Ukraine, but also said he hoped the poll could be a turning point.
OSCE monitors are also present in Moscow to observe voting by the estimated two to three million Ukrainian citizens there.OSCE monitors are also present in Moscow to observe voting by the estimated two to three million Ukrainian citizens there.
Mr Poroshenko later voted in the capital Kiev. "I voted for a united, indivisible, European Ukraine," he tweeted.Mr Poroshenko later voted in the capital Kiev. "I voted for a united, indivisible, European Ukraine," he tweeted.
Half of the 450 seats in parliament will be allocated proportionally according to a party list system, with parties needing to gain more than 5% to win seats.Half of the 450 seats in parliament will be allocated proportionally according to a party list system, with parties needing to gain more than 5% to win seats.
Another 198 MPs will be elected from individual constituencies, with 27 from Crimea and the rebel-held areas remaining vacant.Another 198 MPs will be elected from individual constituencies, with 27 from Crimea and the rebel-held areas remaining vacant.
The main parties vying for seats are:The main parties vying for seats are:
Most are nationalist and pro-Western, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions is not running.Most are nationalist and pro-Western, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions is not running.
However, three parties comprising his former allies are seeking votes in the south and east of the country.However, three parties comprising his former allies are seeking votes in the south and east of the country.
Mr Yanukovych fled in February after a wave of pro-Western protests in Kiev triggered by his refusal to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union.Mr Yanukovych fled in February after a wave of pro-Western protests in Kiev triggered by his refusal to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union.
Anger in eastern Ukraine at his overthrow turned to unrest with separatists seizing government buildings and beginning an insurgency in April.Anger in eastern Ukraine at his overthrow turned to unrest with separatists seizing government buildings and beginning an insurgency in April.
At least 3,700 people have been killed since the conflict began, including 300 killed after a ceasefire was agreed on 5 September.At least 3,700 people have been killed since the conflict began, including 300 killed after a ceasefire was agreed on 5 September.
On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said for the first time that Moscow had helped Mr Yanukovych flee.On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said for the first time that Moscow had helped Mr Yanukovych flee.
Are you in Ukraine? Will the elections make a difference? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Ukraine? Will the elections make a difference? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.