Ukraine's presidential vote pits comedian against incumbent

Polls have opened in Ukraines presidential runoff pitting the incumbent against a comedian who plays the role of Ukraines president in a TV sitcom.

Opinion surveys ahead of Sundays vote have shown President Petro Poroshenko trailing far behind comic actor Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reflecting public dismay with endemic corruption, a moribund economy and a five-year fight against Russia-backed insurgents in the countrys east.

Zelenskiy got twice as many votes as the incumbent in the first round three weeks ago. Like his sitcom character, a school teacher thrust into the presidential seat after a video of him blasting corruption goes viral, Zelenskiy has focused heavily on fighting graft.

The campaign was marked by fierce mutual criticism and showy jockeying for dominance.