West closely watches Ukranian poll results

According to an exit poll Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's ruling Party of Regions is set to dominate local elections.  They're being seen as a key test for his government, and are being closely followed in the West.

Reuters

The poll suggests he’s obtained 36 percent of votes, with the main opposition party of the former prime minister and failed presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko obtaining only 13 percent. The Front of Change came in third with seven per cent.

Yulia Tymonshenko denounced the vote as invalid claiming serious irregularities in the election.

However observers from foreign monitoring missions said the vote appeared to have been conducted fairly.

"I did not hear particular remarks or complaints from candidates, Ukrainian observers or election commission members," said one election official.

About 2,400 observers were following the election, among them 500 international observers.

The vote, the first since Yanukovich was elected in February, was being closely followed in the West due to concerns over restrictions on democratic rights under the new government.

The exit poll spoke to 43,800 people.