Ukraine presidential runoff dead heat

Polling stations in Ukraine's presidential runoff election have closed and exit polls indicate a slight lead for former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

In the runoff, acting Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko faced a challenge from former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

Media exit polls indicate that Yanukovych has secured over 48 percent of the votes.

However, he is leading by 3 to 5 points.

Tymoshenko told reporters that she will closely look at the counting of each vote conducted by the central electoral committee.

She also indicated the possibility of a vote recount if the results are unconvincing.

Yanukovych has maintained his pro-Russian policy while Tymoshenko has changed from a pro-Western stance to one that also favors Russia.

2010/02/08 07:54(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)