Comedian keeps lead in Ukraine presidential poll

World
Europe

00:40

A presidential election began in Ukraine on Sunday with about 35 million people who are eligible to vote the country's sixth president.

The election ballot will list 39 presidential candidates with incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky as three frontrunners.

As voting opened across the country, Zelensky held a 26 percent lead in opinion polls; Poroshenko and Tymoshenko were tied at 12.5 percent each.

Comedian and Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, February 9, 2019. /VCG Photo

Poroshenko has fought to integrate the country with the European Union and NATO.

After voting alongside his family on Sunday the incumbent spoke about how a fair vote was essential for Ukraine's progress.

Ukraine's Poroshenko 'definitely' sure of victory in presidential vote

"This is an absolutely necessary condition for our moving forward, for the return of Ukraine into the family of European nations and our membership of the European Union and NATO," Poroshenko said.

Petro Poroshenko addresses supporters in Cherkasy, central Ukraine, May 20, 2014. /VCG Photo

Joking around with journalists after casting his ballot, Zelenskiy said he was in an upbeat mood and had "voted for a very worthy guy."

"A new life is beginning, a normal life, a life without corruption, without bribes - life in a new country, the country of our dreams," Zelenskiy said.

Tymoshenko, a Ukrainian opposition politician, cast her ballot the same day, saying that the voting is a "step forward to a successful, flourishing, European Ukraine."

Ukrainian presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko campaigns at a rally in Kiev, Ukraine, March 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

"I believe that today begins a new historical movement of Ukraine toward peace, prosperity, and the happiness of every person," Tymoshenko told reporters at a polling station in Kiev.

If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the votes, the top two will have a run-off on April 21.

The polls will close at 8 p.m. (1800GMT) and the early count is expected on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

(CGTN's Stephanie Freid also contributed to the story.)