Election result paves way for more power to Putin

The main pro-Kremlin party competing in Russia's parliamentary elections was leading with a wide margin over the second-polling party, the Communists, the first exit poll results showed last night.

According to an exit poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation for Russia's Channel One state television, United Russia had 37% and the Communists had 15%.

They were followed by the nationalist Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia with 12%, the Homeland bloc with 9%, and the two Western-leaning parties with 6% each.

Russians voting yesterday in parliamentary polls were expected to hand President Vladimir Putin even more power, paving the way for promised reforms and an anti-corruption drive to lure investors.

Thousands of police were on guard after a suspected suicide bombing of a train killed 42 people near rebel Chechnya on Friday in what Mr Putin called an attempt to disrupt voting.

His chief rival, the Communist Party, which could lose votes this time, said there had been voting violations but stopped short of directly blaming the government.

In high spirits, Mr Putin said he had made his view clear about which party he wanted to win the election. He and his wife Lyudmila seemed more excited to inform journalists about the arrival of eight puppies after their Labrador gave birth.

"My preference is well known," he told reporters, referring to United Russia, a party hurriedly created before the last election to help ensure Mr Putin's rise to power. He is almost certain to win a second four-year term next spring.

The election, preceded by what many say was the drabbest campaign since the end of the Soviet Union, is almost certain to hand pro-Putin parties greater hold over the lower house Duma.

If they win two-thirds in the Duma it would be enough to change the constitution, including extending the president's time in office beyond two terms.

Independent observers said they were concerned about possible vote manipulation after Western organisations said campaigning was marred by pro-Kremlin media bias.

United Russia has campaigned on a drive against high-level corruption and bureaucratic "red tape" to improve the economic environment for investors.

"The best result would be if pro-Kremlin parties gain at least 55% (compared with 32.9% now) of the Duma seats," said Chris Weafer, a chief strategist at Alfa Bank. He said it would ease the passage of laws.

Millions of Russians fought through snow and wind to vote in an election that spanned the sprawling country's 11 time zones.