From BBC 17 January 2010

The polls put opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych first and current PM Yulia Tymoshenko second.

The two politicians, who were on opposing sides five years ago, will face a run-off on 7 February if the results are confirmed.

Current President Viktor Yushchenko has been eliminated.

A total of 18 candidates took part.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, in Kiev, says there is much disillusionment among voters over the failure to tackle corruption and links with the EU.

It was Mr Yanukovych's victory in the 2004 election that was annulled by the Orange Revolution and brought Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko to power.

Turnout in the election was reported to be less than 50% by early afternoon. Polls closed at 2000 (1800 GMT).

In the capital Kiev, voters walked to polling stations through light snow.

In the eastern city of Donetsk, one polling station encouraged voters with vodka and sausage.

President Yushchenko cast his ballot at a polling station in central Kiev with his wife, Kateryna, and their five children.

"Ukraine once again will demonstrate that it is a European democratic country, that it is a free nation, free people and free election," he said.

Warnings of unrest

The leading candidates have accused each other of trying to rig

A total of 18 candidates took part.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, in Kiev, says there is much disillusionment among voters over the failure to tackle corruption and links with the EU.

It was Mr Yanukovych's victory in the 2004 election that was annulled by the Orange Revolution and brought Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko to power.

Turnout in the election was reported to be less than 50% by early afternoon. Polls closed at 2000 (1800 GMT).

In the capital Kiev, voters walked to polling stations through light snow.

In the eastern city of Donetsk, one polling station encouraged voters with vodka and sausage.

President Yushchenko cast his ballot at a polling station in central Kiev with his wife, Kateryna, and their five children.

"Ukraine once again will demonstrate that it is a European democratic country, that it is a free nation, free people and free election," he said.

Warnings of unrest

The leading candidates have accused each other of trying to rig the election, and there have been warnings of unrest after the vote. the election, and there have been warnings of unrest after the vote.

In an effort to boost confidence in the election, foreign observers have spread out across Ukraine to monitor voting.

Jens-Hagen Eschenbacher, of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said about 600 OSCE election monitors are in place, as well as thousands of other foreign observers.

The Orange Revolution led Ukrainians to expect sweeping changes - integration with Europe and an end to corruption, our correspondent says.

But the reality has not lived up to expectations and there is widespread disillusionment with politicians across the spectrum, he adds.