"I want to thank Russian citizens, all voters, for a high turnout……Special thanks to those who voted for United Russia which I lead, this is an indication of trust," he was quoted as saying by media reports.

　　The election results reflected people's confidence in the rule of United Russia, Putin said.

　　"It's a good example and a good indication of Russia's internal political stability," he added.

　　Election results showed that United Russia had attracted 64.1 percent of the vote and secured 315 seats, an overwhelming constitutional majority, in the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of parliament. But the election has been criticized by international monitors, foreign governments and some opposition parties, who claim there was biased media coverage in the run-up to the election.

　　Prior to the elections, Putin made a television address asking eligible voters to cast ballots for United Russia to stick to the development path on which he has set the nation.

　　Some 63 percent of the 108 million eligible voters took part in the elections.