Exit polls cited by Russian state television are showing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party tallying less than 50 percent of the vote in Russia's parliamentary election.
The results represent a significant drop in support for United Russia compared to the previous election four years ago when it won over 64 percent of the vote nationwide.
The early returns from Sunday’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 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 percent of the vote, according to two separate exit polls cited by Channel One and Rossiya television.
