KYIV -- Five people have applied to be registered as candidates in Ukraine's January 2010 presidential election, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.
The Central Election Commission said it had received applications from banker Serhiy Tyhipko, lawyer Oleh Ryabokon, former Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko, former Foreign Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and Communist Party leader Petro Simonenko.
Later on October 23, the Party of Regions is expected to announce that its leader, Viktor Yanukovych, has also registered.
On October 24, Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko is expected to announce her bid, and President Viktor Yushchenko is expected to seek reelection as well.