Iran Press/Europe: Volodymyr Zelenskiy has 29% of vote, beating Petro Poroshenko and ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko.
Early results have shown that the actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy has taken a commanding lead in the first round of the Ukraine’s presidential elections, the Guardian reported.
"With 20% of the ballots counted early on Monday, Zelenskiy had 30% of the votes. The incumbent president, Petro Poroshenko, was in a distant second place with 17% followed by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko on 13%," the national elections commission said.
The final results were expected to be announced later on Monday.
A runoff with the leading two candidates will be held on 21 April.
The vote could see a comedy actor with no political experience move a step closer to becoming the country’s next president.
Zelenskiy’s dark horse campaign is largely counting on high turnout among younger voters eager for change in the country and disappointed with stalled reforms and a sluggish economy. 101/207
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