Ukrainians Rally for Fair Poll

In the biggest demonstration here since the Soviet Union broke up, at least 100,000 Ukrainians poured into the streets Saturday to demand a clean presidential election in a show of strength for opposition hopeful Viktor Yushchenko.

Throngs of supporters carrying the orange banners of Yushchenko’s campaign surged down Kiev’s elegant central streets, bringing traffic to a halt.

“A decisive day for the nation is approaching. We are ready. We demand fair elections,” Yushchenko told a roaring crowd outside the building where officials will count the votes in the election’s first round on Oct. 31.

Yushchenko, a liberal pro-Western former premier, is expected to finish atop the poll along with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, who has the backing of departing President Leonid D. Kuchma. If neither has a majority -- which is likely with the field of 24 candidates -- they will meet in a November runoff.

The United States and European Union have called on Ukraine to ensure a fair poll, seen as an assessment of Kuchma’s decade in power, plagued by scandals and accusations of corruption.

Yushchenko has promised to advance political and economic reforms to move closer to Ukraine’s western neighbors.

Yanukovich, a former governor in industrial eastern Ukraine, has pledged to consolidate ties with Russia, tighten state control of the economy and make Russian an official language.

Campaigning has been disrupted by mutual charges of dirty tricks and accusations of blatant bias in favor of the prime minister by pro-government media. Opposition activists complain of pressure on independent media and say authorities may resort to force if Yanukovich does not come out on top.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is expected to send 600 election observers.