Moscow: Pro-Kremlin political party 'Yedinaya Rossia' (United Russia) surged ahead of its main rivals the Communist Party and LDPR led by ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky in the Parliamentary polls as the counting of ballots got underway.

Of the 35 per cent votes counted at 6:00 am IST, United Russia polled 36.4 per cent votes in the federal constituency followed by LDPR with 13.2 per cent and the Communist Party stranded at the third position with 12.9 per cent of the ballots counted.

The big win for United Russia would further consolidate the power of President Vladimir Putin on the 450- strong State Duma (lower House of Parliament) and enable him to change the Constitution imposed on the nation by then President Boris Yeltsin in 1993.

Communist economist Sergei Glaziyev-led Rodina (motherland) Group, formed just three months ahead of the polls, came up with stunning performance garnering fourth largest 8.1 per cent votes.

The liberal "Yabloko" bloc and pro-west Union of Rightist Forces (SPS) failed to clear five per cent barrier in order to share 225 seats on the proportionate basis.

PTI