Local elections cancelled in key Ukraine city, parties trade accusations of foul play

Empty ballot boxes are seen at a polling station on the day of regional elections in Mariupol, Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 25, 2015. REUTERS/Maksim Levin -

KIEV (Reuters) - Local elections in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol were called off on Sunday, prompting the ruling party of President Petro Poroshenko and the pro-Russian Opposition Party to blame each other for alleged irregularities in the vote.

Mariupol, a city of around 500,000, lies on the coast between the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia from Ukraine last year, and separatist-held eastern territory, where a ceasefire between the pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces has largely held since September.