Ukraine vote heads for tense run-off

Ukraine braced for a nail-biting run-off between two old rivals in presidential elections after yesterday's first round vote eliminated discredited Orange Revolution hero President Viktor Yushchenko.

Exit polls forecast the election was led by pro-Russia politician Viktor Yanukovich, the man accused of rigging the 2004 elections which sparked the peaceful Orange Revolution uprising that swept the old order from power.

Second place was set to go to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a former Orange Revolution comrade of Mr Yushchenko who subsequently fell out with the president and adopted a more pragmatic tone on relations with Russia.

As Mr Yanukovich failed to win a majority, the election will go to a second round on February 7 with all to play for between the two old foes who have savaged each other's reputation in the campaign.

The polls showed Mr Yushchenko taking a miserable six percent of the vote, a reflection of Ukraine's frustration that the Orange Revolution failed to realise the dreams of those who protested in 2004.

Mr Yanukovich is set to obtain 32 per cent of the vote and Ms Tymoshenko 27 per cent, according to the initial results of an exit poll of yesterday's ballot organised by the Foundation for Democratic Initiatives.

Another poll by the Gfk-Ukraine organisation showed Mr Yanukovich ahead on 35 per cent and Ms Tymoshenko on 26 per cent. Official results are expected today while turnout was 67 per cent, the election commission said.

"If Tymoshenko is less than 10 per cent behind then her chances of winning in the second round climb sharply," said analyst Igor Zhdanov of the Open Policy think tank.