Ukrainian elections low on funds

A Ukrainian official said the early parliamentary elections called for by the country's president may be endangered by a lack of funding.

Zhanna Usenko Chernaya, deputy chairwoman of the Central Electoral Commission, said members of the Ukrainian parliament have failed to approve budget amendments to pay for the Dec. 7 elections and the government cannot prepare for the vote without the funds, RIA Novosti reported Friday.

"Funding elections from other sources would mean interference in the electoral process ... and violation of electoral law," Chernaya said.

The parliament's press service said a bill that would authorize $100 million for the elections was submitted Friday.

President Viktor Yushchenko announced his decision to dissolve parliament and hold early elections Wednesday, more than a month after the ruling coalition collapsed Sept. 3. The Ukrainian constitution allows for the president to dissolve parliament if a ruling coalition is not formed within 30 days.