Voters desert Putin’s party in parliamentary election

The results represent a significant drop in support for United Russia compared with the previous election four years ago when it won over 64 per cent of the vote nationwide.

The early returns from yesterday’s vote signal it may lose its current two-third majority that allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.

The drop reflects a sense of disenchantment with Mr Putin’s authoritarian course, rampant corruption and the gap between ordinary Russians and the super-rich.

United Russia is followed by the Communist Party with nearly 20 per cent of the vote, according to two separate exit polls cited by Channel One and Rossiya television.