U.S. Government funding exit polls in foreign country

[AnIndependentTexan]

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/international/index.ssf?/base/international-9/110104524175520.xml&storylist=international

Exit poll: Challenger leads in Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — An exit poll and initial early returns from abroad Sunday showed opposition challenger Viktor Yushchenko heading to a commanding victory in Ukraine's presidential run-off, which pitted the Western-leaning reformer against the Kremlin-praised prime minister in a vote many feared would turn violent.

The exit poll, conducted under a program funded by several Western governments — including the United States, showed Yushchenko with 54 percent of the vote compared with 43 percent for Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. A second exit poll, however, showed Yushchenko's margin much smaller at 49.4 percent to 45.9.

The Central Election commission said the challenger captured 80.57 percent of the vote from abroad, with 6.5 percent of foreign polling places reporting. Those polling places are located in Ukrainian embassies and consulates.

Turnout was more than 77 percent, election commission chairman Serhiy Kivalov said. That figure was based on one-third of the country's 225 election districts.

"The difference between Yushchenko and Yanukovych displayed in exit polls shows that even if authorities attempt to rig the vote they will not be able to falsify all of it," Yushchenko's campaign manager, Oleksandr Zinchenko, told about 5,000 people gathered in Kiev's Independence Square.

Yanukovych spokesman Stepan Havrysh criticized the exit polls as "incorrect, unscientific and even comical."

[BlueDog2u]

1. How ironic

[mcg]

2. but fair elections would cost too much here?

paper ballots cost too much?