Ukraine court rejects PM's complaints

With West-leaning Viktor Yushchenko already discussing his post-election program, Yanukovich suffered a further blow when the Central Election Commission threw out his objections about voting irregularities.

Yet he has refused to bow to opponents' demands to quit. Although Yushchenko holds a lead of about eight percentage points in the preliminary count, a Yanukovich aide said new legal challenges were planned once the poll's result is officially published.

The United States said it hoped matters would be resolved quickly so that Ukrainians could get on with their lives.

Supreme Court spokeswoman Liana Shlyaposhnikova said judges had now rejected all four complaints submitted by Yanukovich's team concerning the organization of last Sunday's re-run of the Nov. 21 poll, which had been rigged in Yanukovich's favor.

"The last complaint will not be considered. All four complaints were rejected," she said, adding that two were filed too late and two were not clearly drawn up.