Ukrainians vote on Sunday in a key parliamentary election seen as a popularity test for President Viktor Yanukovych and his Party of Regions amid growing criticism at home and abroad over his policies.
The Yanukovych regime has earned scorn for what critics say has been a steady lurch toward authoritarian rule. Its drive to centralize power and crackdown on public and political opposition has helped galvanize popular discontent with the government, leading to a dramatic slide in support and the consolidation of the opposition.
The jailing of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for abuse of office has only intensified resentment against the regime.
The main opposition grouping against Yanukovych’s Party of Regions in the electoral struggle for the 450-member legislature comprises Fatherland united opposition party, which currently anchors the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT) faction in parliament, and the liberal Udar party led by boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko.
For the opposition, the election may be a critical test to see whether public disenchantment with the Yanukovych regime has translated into popular support for opposition policies.
Over 5,000 candidates are contesting for 450 seats in parliament, with half of the deputies to be elected on party tickets and the other half in single-mandate constituencies in a first-past-the-post vote.
Polls will be open for 12 hours from 08:00 (06:00 GMT) and preliminary results will be announced on Monday morning.
