The party of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych has claimed victory in the country’s parliamentary election. Officials from the Party of Regions said the poll showed Ukrainians had confidence in their leader, the BBC reported on Monday. However, initial counts varied widely from exit polls and the complicated electoral system means a final result is some way off. Thousands of observers are in Ukraine for the vote, which Yanukovych hopes will boost his democratic credentials. Officials said the election had passed off smoothly, with a turnout of some 45%, about average for Ukraine.