With Rival Jailed, Ukraine's President Prepares for Reelection

Opposition fears development of dictatorship

Ukraine geared up on Friday for an election which many commentators expect to cement President Viktor Yanukovich's rule, despite his jailed rival Yulia Tymoshenko calling on voters to stop an imminent "dictatorship".

Yanukovich's Party of the Regions and a union of opposition forces backing Tymoshenko were scheduled to stage their final public rallies later on Friday in the capital Kiev ahead of Sunday's poll for a new parliament.