European observers on Monday praised <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/from-comic-to-commander-in-chief-challenges-for-new-ukraine-leader-212488&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjbi5G75-PhAhUIso8KHRtjByMQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Jbb9nuY0MED0jsdFt5Naz">Ukraine's presidential election</a> as "competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms" but said the campaigns were thin on substance.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-pledges-support-to-ukraine-after-volodymyr-zelensky-win-212597&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjbi5G75-PhAhUIso8KHRtjByMQFggXMAY&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KVwTyxaokGMSd53TGHdep">Volodymyr Zelensky,</a> whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, crushed incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a runoff on Sunday, taking 73.2 per cent of the vote.

Voter turnout stood at 62 per cent.

"The runoff was well-organised, despite operational challenges and a limited timeframe," the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement.

"The orderly transfer of power should offer the opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions and their accountability," the monitors said.

The observers, however, questioned the sensationalist nature of the campaign which saw the two rivals trade insults and takes drug tests to prove they don't have a substance abuse problem.

"The campaign for both rounds lacked genuine discussion of issues of public concern," the OSCE said.

The first and only policy debate of the race was heavy on theatrics and saw Zelensky and Poroshenko kneel in front of the audience to honour Ukraine's war dead.

Kiev has been battling Moscow-backed separatists in the country's east since 2014 in a conflict that has killed some 13,000 people.

Poroshenko quickly conceded defeat in the election and Western leaders including US President Donald Trump, French leader Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel all congratulated the political novice on his landslide win.

In a joint letter to Zelensky, EU Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker expressed admiration for Ukrainians' "strong attachment to democracy and the rule of law that the people of Ukraine have demonstrated."&nbsp;

A total of 39 candidates ran in last month's first round of voting in which Zelensky captured more than 30 per cent of the vote.

European observers on Monday praised Ukraine's presidential election as "competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms" but said the campaigns were thin on substance.

European observers on Monday praised Ukraine's presidential election as "competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms" but said the campaigns were thin on substance. Volodymyr Zelensky, whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, crushed incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a runoff on Sunday, taking 73.2 per cent of the vote. Voter turnout stood at 62 per cent. "The runoff was well-organised, despite operational challenges and a limited timeframe," the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement. "The orderly transfer of power should offer the opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions and their accountability," the monitors said. The observers, however, questioned the sensationalist nature of the campaign which saw the two rivals trade insults and takes drug tests to prove they don't have a substance abuse problem. "The campaign for both rounds lacked genuine discussion of issues of public concern," the OSCE said. The first and only policy debate of the race was heavy on theatrics and saw Zelensky and Poroshenko kneel in front of the audience to honour Ukraine's war dead. Kiev has been battling Moscow-backed separatists in the country's east since 2014 in a conflict that has killed some 13,000 people. Poroshenko quickly conceded defeat in the election and Western leaders including US President Donald Trump, French leader Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel all congratulated the political novice on his landslide win. In a joint letter to Zelensky, EU Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker expressed admiration for Ukrainians' "strong attachment to democracy and the rule of law that the people of Ukraine have demonstrated." A total of 39 candidates ran in last month's first round of voting in which Zelensky captured more than 30 per cent of the vote.

European observers hail Ukraine's 'competitive' election; says, held with respect for fundamental freedoms

Ukraine's presidential election will be held on March 31, with a record number 39 candidates running for office.

According to recent polls, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko, and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky are the race's front runners.&nbsp;

Zelensky is known for his portrayal of the president in his role in the Ukrainian TV-series "Servant of the People", but the 41-year-old has no real-life political experience.

If no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of votes in the first round, a runoff with the top two candidates will be held on April 21. Preliminary results will be released on Monday, with the president assuming office no later than June 3.

A nationwide opinion poll from March 20-26 revealed that Zelensky and Poroshenko are favoured to win the first round. But since no candidate has received more than 45 per cent support in recent polls, a runoff is likely, said Ukrainian political analyst Taras Berezovets.

"The possibility of a second round of elections is very high because if a candidate can win in the first round, he or she must win 45 per cent or more of the votes. However, none of the candidates will reach that. Zelensky is leading the polls now with only 30.2 per cent. What's more, 25 per cent of voters don't even know who they'll support. So the result is unknown," said Berezovets. 
&nbsp;

Ukraine's presidential election will be held on March 31, with a record number 39 candidates running for office. According to recent polls, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko, and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky are the race's front runners.

Ukraine's presidential election will be held on March 31, with a record number 39 candidates running for office. According to recent polls, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko, and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky are the race's front runners. Zelensky is known for his portrayal of the president in his role in the Ukrainian TV-series "Servant of the People", but the 41-year-old has no real-life political experience. If no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of votes in the first round, a runoff with the top two candidates will be held on April 21. Preliminary results will be released on Monday, with the president assuming office no later than June 3. A nationwide opinion poll from March 20-26 revealed that Zelensky and Poroshenko are favoured to win the first round. But since no candidate has received more than 45 per cent support in recent polls, a runoff is likely, said Ukrainian political analyst Taras Berezovets. "The possibility of a second round of elections is very high because if a candidate can win in the first round, he or she must win 45 per cent or more of the votes. However, none of the candidates will reach that. Zelensky is leading the polls now with only 30.2 per cent. What's more, 25 per cent of voters don't even know who they'll support. So the result is unknown," said Berezovets.

Ukraine to hold presidential election today; 39 candidates running for office

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European observers hail Ukraine's 'competitive' election; says, held with respect for fundamental freedoms

Ukraine to hold presidential election today; 39 candidates running for office