UKRAINE: Lviv religious and political leaders pray for clean elections ahead of hotly-contested parliamentary poll

Record ID: 859388

  • Title: UKRAINE: Lviv religious and political leaders pray for clean elections ahead of hotly-contested parliamentary poll
  • Date: 21st October 2012
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF SERVICE IN PROGRESS CHOIR BOYS SIGNING SQUARE WITH SERVICE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • City:
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Politics,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA1169TF5Y5OPAG19XY46V7LYLU
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Religious and political leaders in the Western Ukraine city of Lviv held a prayer service on Sunday (October 21) to call for clean elections in the ex-Soviet country of 45 million's upcoming parliamentary poll on October 28th.
    A crowd of about 4000 gathered in a Lviv central square for the service, which was led by leaders of several faiths.
    Greek Catholic priest Yaroslav Chukhnov called on the faithful to vote.
    "I would like us to hear the voice our own conscience: To not be afraid to stand in the defence of truth, to not sell our own conscience and to go to the polls with a firm conviction. A lot depends on me. A lot depends on my little vote," Chukhnov said.
    Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy tried to inspire his fellow townspeople, to shake off any apathy they might feel about the elections.
    "I would like no one to hide behind others with words, let it will happen as it happens. No! Each person should go and vote. We need to set an example for all of Ukraine. It's our Christian duty."
    Voters in Ukraine go to the polls in exactly a week to elect 450 parliament deputies to five-year terms.
    Half of the 450 seats are decided by party lists and half by individual constituencies. President Viktor Yanukovich's Party of Regions is widely perceived to have a decisive advantage in voting in the latter.
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