Comedian Zelenskiy takes lead in Ukraine presidential election - exit poll

Incumbent president Petro Poroshenko comes in in second place with 17.8 per cent

Ukrainian comic actor and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy waves to supporters as he visits a polling station during the presidential election in Kiev, Ukraine on Sunday. Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
Ukrainian comic actor and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy waves to supporters as he visits a polling station during the presidential election in Kiev, Ukraine on Sunday. Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

The first exit poll in Ukraine’s presidential election showed comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy winning the first round with 30.4 per cent of the vote, and incumbent president Petro Poroshenko coming in second place with 17.8 per cent.

Announcing the first poll, the Central Election Commission said it was based on voting up to 3pm Irish time.

If no candidate receives more than half the votes, the election goes to a run-off on April 21. – Reuters