OPORA observers register some violations at polling stations, but say on the whole election was fair
Kyiv, January18 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Short-term observers from the OPORA Civil Network registered a number of violations on election day at polling stations, but on the whole they said the work of the majority of polling stations corresponded to the law.
"Short-term observers noted quantitative violations concerning the time of opening of polling stations. Thus, 69% of polling stations opened on time, this means at 0800, while 30% were 15-20 minutes late… Some couldn't start work until 1400," coordinator of OPORA Civil Network Olha Aivazovska told at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.
In turn, observers of the organization noted the early closing of some polling stations, as well as late closing of others.
"Some polling stations stopped their work at 2000, because 100% of the voters had voted. Such polling stations total 20.7%. A total of 86.5% polling stations stopped work at about 2030. A total of 0.2% closed after 2030," Aivazovska said.
On the whole, according to OPORA observers, 89.2% of polling stations worked in line with the current legislation.
Representatives of the organization also registered some provocative actions from the side of third persons.
Aivazovska announced the results of an exit poll conducted by OPORA observers at 1,003 polling stations in 225 electoral districts.
According to this data, Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko enter the second round with 34.5% and 26.2% respectively. Sergiy Tigipko received 13.1% of the vote, Arseniy Yatseniuk – 7.1%, and Viktor Yuschenko – 5.5%.