Polls open in Ukraine’s bitterly fought presidential election; rivals trade charges of fraud

Polls open in Ukraine’s bitterly fought election

KIEV, Ukraine — Polls have opened in the second round of Ukraine’s presidential elections, pitting two bitterly opposed candidates in a contest that some observers predict could be settled in the courts.

Ukraine’s 37 million registered voters will choose Sunday between Russian-leaning opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who came to international prominence in the 2004 pro-Western Orange protests.

Both camps have traded charges of electoral fraud in the days ahead of the vote.

Yanukovych polled 10 percentage points ahead of Tymoshenko in the first round of voting on Jan. 17.

Analysts say the final vote will be closer and expect both sides to resort to legal maneuvering and demonstrations if defeat looms.