Yushchenko wins Ukraine election

Ukrainie's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko and his political partner flash V-signs to supporters yesterday at the Independence square in Kiev. PHOTO: AFP

In his first comments after the close of polls, the beaming hero of the "orange revolution" that shook Ukraine to its core for weeks appeared in front of hordes of reporters and activists at his campaign headquarters in the early hours of Monday.

"It has happened," he said to wild cheers and applause.

"For 14 years we have been independent, but now we are free. This is a victory for the Ukrainian people, for the Ukrainian nation," the 50-year-old opposition leader and former prime minister said as his audience broke into applause and chants of "Yu-shchenk-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!"

The central election commission said Yushchenko held nearly a 10-point lead over Yanukovich with more than 92 percent of polling precincts reporting.

Yushchenko had 53.53 percent of the vote, compared with the 42.69 percent for his pro-Russia rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, a difference of nearly three million votes.

Turnout was 77.22 percent.