(25 May 2014) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBERS: 2004875, 2004850, 2004851, 2004849,
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SHOUTING 'GLORY TO UKRAINE'... PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PETRO POROSHENKO CAST HIS BALLOT IN KIEV ON SUNDAY...
IN AN ELECTION THAT THAT IS WIDELY SEEN AS KEY TO RESTORING ORDER.
POLLS HAVE SHOWN THE 48-YEAR-OLD BILLIONAIRE CANDY-MAKER FAR AHEAD OF THE OTHER 20 CANDIDATES, BUT SHORT OF THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY NEEDED TO WIN IN THE FIRST ROUND.
HIS NEAREST CHALLENGER IS FORMER PRIME MINISTER YULIA TYMOSHENKO, WHO STRONGLY SUPPORTS CLOSER TIES WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO.
(Tymoshenko) "Today I voted for a European Ukraine, which can change the lives of every Ukrainian," SHE SAID. "I am convinced that Ukraine can be strong, happy and prosperous if it becomes a member of the European Union."
VOTER TURNOUT APPEARED TO BE RELATIVELY SPARSE IN THE TROUBLED EAST, WHERE HEAVILY-ARMED PRO-RUSSIAN REBELS WERE SEEN INTIMIDATING VOTERS BY SMASHING BALLOT BOXES AND BLOCKING ACCESS TO THE POLLS.
SUNDAY'S ELECTION COMES THREE MONTHS AFTER THE OUSTER OF UKRAINE'S PRO-RUSSIA LEADER... CHASED AWAY BY LARGE-SCALE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE CAPITAL.
SOUNDBITE (Russian) Maria Petrenko, Kiev resident: "I just voted for normal life in our country, only for that. I have three grandchildren and want a better life for them in a normal country."
SOUNDBITE (ukrainian) Ivan Yakimtsev, Kiev resident: "I hope for positive changes in the country after the election. Maybe an order will be done and the mess will be stopped, especially in Eastern Ukraine where civil war is happening."
IF NO-ONE WINS AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN SUNDAY'S VOTE, A RUN-OFF IS SET FOR JUNE 15TH.
HANNAH BUCHDAHL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
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