International monitors hail 'transparent' Ukraine election
International election monitors have hailed Ukraine’s presidential elections as “professional, transparent and honest”.
The assessment from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is likely to increase pressure on apparent loser Yulia Tymoshenko to concede the election.
Joao Soares, head of the observation mission from the OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly, said Sunday’s vote was an impressive display of democratic elections.
Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych was the apparent winner, with a 2.6% lead and less than 2% of ballots remaining to be counted.
Tymoshenko has alleged fraud and manipulation and signalled she will challenge the outcome in the courts.
