Travellers Should Avoid Potential Election Demonstrations

Ukraine will hold a presidential election on 17 January 2010. Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich of the Party of Regions is expected to gain the largest number of votes in the poll; however, the election will likely result in a runoff between Yanukovich and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on 7 February. The campaign environment has been contentious, and there have been rumors and allegations of planned fraud and secret deals between candidates. Information has also emerged that both the Party of Regions and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc will bring supporters to Kiev to stage rallies. In response, city officials have banned demonstrations on Independence Square from 9 January to 3 February. While violence or unrest is not anticipated at demonstrations related to the election, given the contentious political environment, travellers should avoid such actions and remain abreast of political developments.