KIEV, November 23 (RIA Novosti) - An election observation mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will start on Monday monitoring the presidential election campaign in Ukraine.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has so far sent over 50 observers to Ukraine. Another 600 European officials will arrive in the country on a short mission on the day of elections, January 17, 2010.

The election campaign in Ukraine started on October 19. A total of 18 candidates have been registered to run for the president.

Opinion polls point to Viktor Yanukovych, the president's opponent in the 2004 race, as the leading contender, along with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an ally-turned-rival of incumbent President Viktor Yushchenko.

Former Supreme Rada speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk is polling third, while Yushchenko himself has support in the low single digits.

Other registered contenders include Supreme Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, former defense minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko and Communist leader Petro Symonenko.

However, pollsters say none of the candidates is likely to garner the 50% plus one vote required to avoid a runoff.

Ukrainians look to the election to end several years of political infighting that has complicated decision-making in the country, which has been hit hard by the global recession.