KIEV, June 24 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's presidential election campaign is due to start on September 19, the country's election authorities said on Wednesday citing preliminary calculations.
The date could be changed if parliament approves a proposal by the opposition Party of Regions, led by current presidential frontrunner Viktor Yanukovych, to cut the campaign period from 120 to 90 days, a Central Election Commission spokesman said.
Ukraine's parliament set a presidential election for January 17 on Tuesday.
"In accordance with the decision adopted by the Supreme Rada and preliminary calculations, the election campaign is due to start on September 19, if the Rada does not approve changes to the campaign timeframe," he said.
A former prime minister, Yanukovych leads recent polls with above 25%. He was declared winner of the 2004 presidential poll but the result was overturned as rigged following the protests of the so-called Orange Revolution. Current President Viktor Yushchenko won the rerun of the vote.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yushchenko's ally-turned-foe, is polling at over 16%. The premier's ratings have fallen due to her protracted dispute with the president, as many people believe it has contributed to the country's current political and economic instability.
Former parliamentary speaker and millionaire businessman Arseniy Yatsenyuk is their closest rival with about 13%, according to recent surveys.
Yushchenko has announced plans to run for a second term despite ratings in single figures.
