The main pro-Kremlin party led by a large margin in Russia's parliamentary elections Sunday, according to partial official results

The main pro-Kremlin party led by a large margin in Russia's parliamentary elections Sunday, according to partial official results, putting President Vladimir Putin on the path to the solid majority he seeks to strengthen his hold on the country. Greater might in the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, would make it easier for Mr. Putin to push through the sometimes unpopular market-oriented economic reforms he has promised and cut the bureaucracy that stifles Russian growth. It may also let him pass constitutional changes giving him a third term in office. But Kremlin critics and opposition party leaders warned too much power for Mr. Putin would fuel a drift toward authoritarianism in a country still setting its course after seven decades of Soviet rule. Turnout for the vote appeared lower than past elections, with many Russians disillusioned. Still, exit polls mirrored the partial count with a big win for Mr. Putin and his allies as he heads into a March presidential ballot that seems sure to hand him a second term. With 46.93 per cent of the official vote counted, United Russia — a party led by cabinet ministers and packed with government bureaucrats — was ahead with 36.5 per cent, more than twice as many votes as its closest contender, Central Election Commission chairman Alexander Veshnyakov said. The Communist party, universally considered United Russia's chief competition, was second with 12.9 per cent. Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov dismissed the elections as a "disgusting show . . . that has nothing to do with democracy."