KIEV, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) - Ukrainian opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko said on Monday the nation was beginning a new political life.

Ukrainian opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko sings the national anthem of Ukraine during a celebration rally at the Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 27, 2004. Yushchenko has gained a lead by winning 56.04 percent of the 60.85 percent of the votes counted in the rerun presidential vote, according to the latest results announced on Monday by the Ukrainian Central Election Commission. (Xinhua Photo)

    Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in the capital, Yushchenko said "Today, in Ukraine, a new political year has begun. This is the beginning of a new epoch, the beginning of a new great democracy."

    His remarks came after exit polls and early results gave him lead in the rerun of the presidential election.

    The revote of presidential run-off between Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Yushchenko began Sunday with 32,118polling stations opening at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) for voters to cast their ballots.

    It was the third time in eight weeks that the two rival candidates faced off in a fiercely waged presidential contest.

    Yanukovych defeated Yushchenko by a narrow margin in the November 21 run-off. But Yushchenko supporters staged widespread demonstration, protesting at what they called election fraud.

    The results of the Nov. 21 presidential run-off were annulled by the Supreme Court, leading to Sunday's revoting. Enditem