Court offers come hope in Ukraine elections

11.48.54am GMT Fri 26th Nov 2004

Court offers come hope in Ukraine elections

The Ukrainian supreme court has blocked Viktor Yanukovich, who was declared the winner on Wednesday by a 3% margin, from assuming the presidency. The court ruled the results could not be officially published until after a hearing on Monday into dozens of complaints from the opposition into alleged election fraud. The decision was welcomed by supporters of opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. Allegations include turnout of more than 100% in some electoral areas, as well as wide-spread voter fraud.

Ukraine's electoral commission said Mr Yanukovich won 49.46% of the vote and Mr Yushchenko 46.61%. The Election has been declared as neither fair nor free by OCSE (Organisation for Co-operation Security in Europe), who monitored the elections. Since the elections tens of thousands of Yushchenko supported have flooded the streets of Kiev and other major cities.

The United States has said it will not recognise the result and the European Union has called the election 'flawed. Russia however has recognised Mr. Yanukovich as the victor, President Putin overtly supported Mr Yanukovich throughout the campaign.

In 1998 I visited Ukraine and trained young members of various political parties on how to campaign and win elections. I assume some of the people I trained then were active in this campaign. At least I know none of my training included how to commit electoral fraud!