Ukrainian opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko on Monday clamed victory in the re-run of Ukrainian presidential election, after early results and exit polls showed his victory.

Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in the capital, Yushchenko said, "I want to say this is a victory of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian nation."

"Today, in Ukraine, a new political year has begun. This is the beginning of a new epoch, the beginning of a new great democracy," he said.

With 54 percent of Sunday's ballot counted, the Central Election Commission said Yushchenko had won more than 56 percent of the votes compared with the 40 percent for his rival Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

It was not clear when the winner will be officially declared.

Several exit polls also gave Yushchenko a victory by a wide margin. Yushchenko scored 56.5 percent to 41.3 percent for Yanukovych according to an exit poll conducted by the Ukrainian Institute of Social Research and Social Monitoring Center.

Meanwhile, another poll, conducted by Razumkov center, gave 56.5 percent for Yushchenko and 41.3 percent for Yanukovych.

The revote between Yanukovych and Yushchenko began Sunday with 32,118 polling stations opening at 8:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) with a turnout of more than 77 percent.

About 12,000 foreign observers from the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United States and other institutions and governments monitored the voting process.

YANUKOVYCH VOWS TOUGH OPPOSITION IF FAILS

At a press conference held late Sunday after exit polls showed Yushchenko's victory, Yanukovych refused to accept his failure and vowed to lead a tough opposition if he fails in the re-run.

"If I lose, there will be a tough opposition," Yanukovych told reporters, warning Yushchenko will "learn what an opposition really is" if the latter wins the election.

"There will be no talks," Yanukovych said, noting he would congratulate Yushchenko only "with regret".

"I expect to win, but if I am defeated then a strong opposition will be created and will be in the parliament," he added.

He also complained the last-minute change of electoral laws came too late.

Ukraine was plunged into a political turmoil after the second round of the presidential elections on Nov. 21, when both candidates claimed victory.

Ukraine's Supreme Court on Dec. 3 annulled the official results of the runoff in which Yanukovych emerged as the victor and ruled that a re-run be held on Sunday.