KIEV , FEB 08 - Ukraine has narrowly chosen the pro-Russia Viktor Yanukovich as its next president, results showed Monday, after elections that rejected the West-leaning policies of the Orange Revolution.

But with his margin of victory of around just 2.5 percent according to a count of almost all the votes, his challenger Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was showing no sign of conceding a poll that was much closer than forecast.

Yanukovich -- the loser in the 2004 elections when the Orange uprising led to the courts finding his side committed mass vote rigging -- declared victory and promised to overcome Ukraine's economic crisis and divisions as president.

Based on a count from 97.6 percent of polling stations, Yanukovich had 48.49 percent of the vote while Tymoshenko -- a veteran of the Orange Revolution and champion of EU integration -- had 45.92 percent.

Another 4.4 percent of ballots were cast "against all" in Sunday's run-off poll, in a sign of the disillusionment five years after the Orange Revolution, the central election commission said. Some 1.2 percent of ballots were spoiled.

Volodymyr Shapoval, chairman of the election commission, said the final results would be announced in due course but declined to give any further comment. Turnout was 69 percent.

The Orange Revolution swept Ukraine's old order from power and created hopes of a new beginning in the strategically-located state of 46 million people wedged between Russia and the European Union.

But the dreams crumbled amid political infighting and a dire economic crisis.

The results pointed to a stunning comeback for Yanukovich, who had been poised to grab the presidency in 2004 before the Orange uprising swept him aside and brought pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko to power. Profile: Viktor Yanukovich

In a victory speech late Sunday, Yanukovich said the election had opened a "new page" in Ukraine's history and said he would do everything to make sure all Ukrainians felt "comfortable and safe".

Ukraine is split between a Russian-speaking east, which is Yanukovich's stronghold, and the more nationalist Ukrainian-speaking west that backed Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko, who had repeatedly accused the Yanukovich camp of plotting to rig the vote, did not concede defeat as she appeared in front of reporters late Sunday in an eye-catching cream dress and trademark golden hair braid.

"So long as the last count is not made, it is impossible to talk about any kind of results," she said, adding that her backers were carrying out a "parallel count" to the official tally.

Her right-hand man, Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Turchynov, spoke of "extensive falsifications". Profile: Yulia Tymoshenko

Tymoshenko -- who had previously vowed to mobilise her supporters for street protests if she detected fraud -- was due to comment on the result at an eagerly-awaited news conference which has been put back until 1500 GMT.

Yanukovich's campaign seemed ready to counter that threat, setting up dozens of tents and sending hundreds of supporters around key official buildings in Kiev over the weekend. Related article: Orange flame dims, but still alight

The Orange Revolution broke out after Yanukovich was declared the winner of the disputed presidential election in 2004. Thousands poured into the streets to protest vote fraud and Kremlin meddling in the election.

After the protests, Ukraine's supreme court threw out Yanukovich's victory as fraudulent and ordered a re-run, which he lost to Yushchenko. But this time, Yushchenko was eliminated in the first round. Related article: Anger and broken dreams as Ukraine votes

During the election campaign, the media-savvy Tymoshenko made a striking contrast to the uncharismatic Yanukovich, who drew ridicule for his inarticulate speech and was criticised for his criminal record.

Yanukovich was convicted and served prison time for theft and assault in the Soviet era.

But with Ukraine's GDP shrinking 15 percent last year due to the economic crisis, many Ukrainians had issues on their minds other than the rhetorical skills of the candidates.

Yanukovich also hired US political consultants to improve his image and emphasised the importance of Ukraine's ties with Europe in a bid to shed his reputation as a Kremlin puppet and gain political redemption.

Posted on: 2010-02-08 09:15

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