Kiev poll scrutinised for Ukraine national trends

Residents of Ukraine's capital voted for a mayor and city council on Sunday in a race being watched for political trends that might give clues to the outcome of the next presidential election.

Voters were choosing from about 70 candidates for mayor of the city of 3 million on a metre-long ballot paper after weeks of intense campaigning - unseen in Russia and nearby ex-Soviet states - on issues ranging from housing to morality.

Ukraine's prominent figures, President Viktor Yushchenko, his on-again-off-again ally Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, are not running for the mayor's job.

But all three are represented by allies eager to test the water ahead of a presidential election expected in early 2010.

More than three years after "Orange Revolution" rallies swept pro-Western liberals to office, the "orange" camp is divided, disillusioning many who took part in the rallies.

At least three runners linked to the "orange" camp are facing incumbent mayor Leonid Chernovetsky.

Tymoshenko has staked the most in the poll by heading her bloc's list in the race for city council seats.

Sacked as prime minister after seven months in 2005, she was reinstated last December after "orange" parties papered over differences and won a tiny majority in a parliamentary election. But she and Yushchenko, both likely runners in a presidential race, are again locked in bitter exchanges over the economy.

PARLIAMENTARY VOTE

The premier triggered the mayoral election by securing a vote in parliament to oust Chernovetsky in connection with what liberals alleged were illegal land deals.

Yet Chernovetsky leads opinion polls with about 25 percent of the vote. Liberals say he courts elderly voters by handing out food parcels.

Most analysts say the mayor enjoys at least Yushchenko's tacit support - as the best way of ensuring defeat for Tymoshenko's candidate.

"I am certain these elections will bring a return to calm and constructive work as befits local government," Yushchenko told reporters after voting in gloomy weather in central Kiev.

Three hopefuls linked to the "orange" camp trail the mayor.

Former world boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, whose posters promise "strong and honest" government, lies second in the polls with 17 percent after coming second in the 2006 mayoral race.

He told reporters he had made gains in the last week of campaigning, when polls were banned.

"I believe my chances are very, very good," he said. "In sport, the most important thing is to be sure of yourself."

Tymoshenko's bloc won about 40 percent of the vote in Kiev in last year's parliamentary election, but despite repeated public appearances in favour of her ally, Oleksander Turchinov, he scores only 6 percent in third place.

Mykola Katerynchuk, allied with the president, is credited with 4 percent.