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Ukraine crisis: Pro-Western blocs 'win Ukraine poll' Ukraine crisis: Pro-Western blocs 'win Ukraine poll'
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Western parties will dominate Ukraine's parliament after the first elections to the body since February's revolution, exit polls suggest.Pro-Western parties will dominate Ukraine's parliament after the first elections to the body since February's revolution, exit polls suggest.
President Petro Poroshenko's bloc is expected win the most seats, with Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk's People's Front party a close second.President Petro Poroshenko's bloc is expected win the most seats, with Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk's People's Front party a close second.
Mr Poroshenko called an early poll in a bid to set Ukraine on a new path after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders.Mr Poroshenko called an early poll in a bid to set Ukraine on a new path after the ousting of pro-Russian leaders.
About 3m people in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions did not take part.About 3m people in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions did not take part.
Separatists in the area plan to hold their own polls next month.Separatists in the area plan to hold their own polls next month.
Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, also did not take part.Another 1.8 million people in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, also did not take part.
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, KievAnalysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev
Ukraine's parliamentary elections potentially could completely transform the country's political landscape. The question is, in what way.Ukraine's parliamentary elections potentially could completely transform the country's political landscape. The question is, in what way.
Already this is shaping up to be the most pro-Western legislature in the country's post-independence history. Former heavy hitters, like former President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions and the Communist Party, have been sidelined.Already this is shaping up to be the most pro-Western legislature in the country's post-independence history. Former heavy hitters, like former President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions and the Communist Party, have been sidelined.
But even if the majority of the parties are pro-Western, it does not necessarily mean they're unified. Ukraine's political culture is notoriously fractious. And the issues facing the country, such as how to enact reform, battle corruption or fight the war in the east, will provide fertile ground for disagreement.But even if the majority of the parties are pro-Western, it does not necessarily mean they're unified. Ukraine's political culture is notoriously fractious. And the issues facing the country, such as how to enact reform, battle corruption or fight the war in the east, will provide fertile ground for disagreement.
Within the parties themselves there are a number of question marks - especially among the numerous war heroes and battalion commanders who populate the candidate lists. Though their battlefield bravery is not in doubt, their political views are not entirely clear. Where they stand on the problems the country faces remains to be seen.Within the parties themselves there are a number of question marks - especially among the numerous war heroes and battalion commanders who populate the candidate lists. Though their battlefield bravery is not in doubt, their political views are not entirely clear. Where they stand on the problems the country faces remains to be seen.
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.
Strong mandate
Two exit polls published immediately after voting ended showed Mr Poroshenko's bloc, comprising his own Solidarity Party and Udar, led by boxer Vitali Klitschko, leading with about 23%.
Mr Yatsenyuk's People's Front appeared to have performed unexpectedly well, polling in the region of 21%.
The Self Help party, based in western Ukraine, was third with more than 13%, the exit polls indicated.
Correspondents say all three groups are strongly pro-European and should give Mr Poroshenko a strong mandate to pursue democratic reforms and a plan to end the conflict in the east.
Four other party lists seemed set to enter parliament, overcoming a 5% threshold. They include the Opposition Bloc, formed by allies of ousted Pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych.
But the picture is complicated by the fact that almost half of the 450 seats are from single-member constituencies, chosen on a first-past-the-post basis.
However, 27 seats from Crimea and rebel-held areas will remain vacant.
Preliminary official results are expected on Monday.
Observers 'concerned'Observers 'concerned'
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 closed.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 closed.
Earlier in the day, Mr Poroshenko briefly visited the eastern town of Kramatorsk, in an area of Donetsk region recaptured by government forces from separatist rebels.Earlier in the day, Mr Poroshenko briefly visited the eastern 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 were also present in Moscow to observe voting by the estimated two to three million Ukrainian citizens there.OSCE monitors were 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.
Another 198 MPs will be elected from individual constituencies, with 27 from Crimea and the rebel-held areas remaining vacant.
Some of 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.
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.