Sunday's first-round election in Ukraine, the result of which pits a popular comedian against the former Soviet state's incumbent leader for the presidency, was marred by accusations of vote-buying schemes and abuse of state resources, according to an international organization tasked with monitoring the polls.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe assesses that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who will face off against Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the April 21 second round, used "social assistance programmes, salary increases and other financial incentives as campaign tools," to buy votes, according to a report it released Monday. The group also said the former confectionery baron's extensive travel throughout the country in the lead-up to the election also resulted in "blurring the lines" between his responsibilities as president and his campaign activities.

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