Ukrainians began casting their ballot Sunday in the presidential election to choose a successor to President Leonid Kuchma.

A total of 24 candidates were on the ballot to succeed Kuchma, and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich and a former prime minister, Viktor Yushchenko, are presidential hopefuls.

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, a runoff between the top two will be held on Nov. 21.

Kuchma is completing his second five-year term. Polling stations are due to close at 8:00 pm (1700 GMT).

Source: Xinhua