You're reading: Ukraine’s election commission says no systemic violations evident during election

Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has said that as of 4:30 p.m. on March 31 no systemic violations during voting in the presidential elections has been established.

“No systemic violations during voting have been established. There are isolated instances, but they are classic for any voting process in any election campaign,” CEC Secretary Natalia Bernatska told journalists at around 4:30 on March 31.

She said there have been isolated instances of photographing ballot papers and transporting people to voting stations, “but in general the elections are being held in the standard way.”

Bernatska predicted originals of voting tallies will start arriving at the CEC around lunchtime on April 1.

She said the CEC by law has 10 days to determine the results of the election.

“But we hope it will take us less time this year,” she added.

Ukraine is holding the first round of its presidential election on Sunday. The polling stations will close at 20:00. A record-large number of candidates – 39 – are running in this presidential election.