Ukrainians will hit the polls in January to choose their next president. 18 people are competing for the position. But out of all the candidates running for the position, none are particularly popular with the masses.

So for this election voters will have the ability to cast a ballot that doesn’t back one candidate… it’s being called the “against all” option.

The move has been condemned by the Council of Europe, saying it’s undemocratic. But it is widely accepted among the Ukrainian people.

Sociologist Eugene Kopatko supports the option.

[Еugene Kopatko, Sociologist]:
"I think that under the circumstances, there needs to be an against all designation. It does not involve criticism, but if it increases, it will point to a common distrust towards the government."

This isn’t the first time an against all ballot option is being offered in Ukrainian elections. It was adopted back in 2004… but analysts believe the number of Ukrainians who will cast an against all ballot in this election will be double the number in 2004.

Political experts say voters aren’t particularly impressed with any of the candidates. 

[Vadim Karasev, Director, Global Research Institute]:
"Sometimes it's better to vote Against All, so that the voters can protest against politicians and against the elections."

There’s even another way that voters can vote against all.

One candidate literally changed his last name to mean “against all” in Ukrainian. His name’s Vasily Protyvsikh. So a vote for Vasily is effectively a vote for no one.

[Vasily "Against All" Gumenuk, Presidential Candidate]:
"I have thought about it for a long time. I see how many people are against all of these candidates and I decided to voice their opinion."

But there are certainly people who believe it’s important to vote for one person rather than casting an against all ballot.

[Маrina Staivnichuk, Vice-Secretary for the Ukrainian President]:
"A voter going to the elections should be certain. Meaning he or she should give their voice to one or another political power, for one or another political candidate. And that is correct."

Members of Parliament also believe that Ukraine has no need for an against all option.

[Valery Pisarenko, Member of Parliament]:
"The voter should still take a stand with certain political powers and certain candidates."

Public opinion is still widely divided.

[Marina Stetchenko, Kyiv Resident]:
"I don't think we need it. We have to find some kind of resolution. If we cannot be against all, should we do nothing?"

[Маxim Smolich, Kyiv Resident]:
"Well, yes, there are such people who vote how they think, that is against all… because we have very few worthy candidates."

Election results are expected on the 17th of February.

NTD, Kyiv, Ukraine

CORRECTION: The reporter mistakenly referred to Mr. Eugene Kopatko as a “socialist” in her voiceover. In fact, he is a sociologist. We apologize for the error.