CIS-EMO international observer mission hopes presidential runner-up will recognize his or her defeat

Kyiv, February 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) – One of the presidential candidates is creating tensions ahead of the second round of the presidential election in Ukraine, although there are no reasons for this, the International Observer Mission of the CIS Election Monitoring Organization (CIS-EMO) in Ukraine has said.

"Unfortunately, the degree of tension ahead of the run-off election has begun to rise," Mission Chief Alexei Kochetkov said in a video linkup between Kyiv and Moscow at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Thursday.

"The first round was held rather smoothly, and none of the international observers had particular concerns. But now one of the sides has started showing serious signs of nervousness and is creating tension, although there are no particular reasons for this - at least we, as international observers, don't see any," he said.

Kochetkov expressed hope that "common sense will finally win, and all participants in the election process will remain in the legal field and won't take any measures that are not in line with the election process."

"We hope that they [presidential candidates] will respect the choice of their people, and there won't be a repeat of what happened in 2004," he said.