KIEV, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian actor Volodymyr Zelensky, who is viewed as a front-runner in the country's presidential election, said Sunday that he hopes for a "new life" after the election.
"Today, the new life starts in our country. I think the new life is a normal life without corruption, without bribes," Zelensky told reporters at a polling station in Kiev.
Voting for the presidential election in Ukraine kicked off at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Sunday with a record number of 39 candidates competing for the presidency. The polling stations will close at 8:00 p.m. (1700 GMT).
According to various opinion polls, 41-year-old Zelensky has the best chance to gain the largest number of votes in the first round.
Incumbent President Petro Poroshenko and the leader of the opposition Fatherland party Yulia Tymoshenko are the two other front-runners.
