Siberia and Russian Far East vote decisively for United Russia in parliamentary elections

Russia is heading for a overall majority in the State Duma - or lower house of parliament - after Sunday's nationwide election. United Russia leads comfortably as final votes are counted in Siberia and the Russian Far East, showing around a 54% share of the vote across the country. 

While the Communists seemed on course for second place in western Russia, it was the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia that beat them into the runner up spot  in many regions east of the Urals. 

The Central Election Commission said there were 'no reports of gross violations' in the conduct of the election, although there were many claims of minor irregularities. 

During Sunday, there were reports of alleged voting abuses in Altai region, centred on Barnaul, but after police checks these were not confirmed. There were also claims of abuses in Russia's eastern capital Vladivostok but the results of police checks are not yet clear. 

Irkutsk region registered one of the lowest turnouts in Russia, with 28.8% on latest figures. 

Overall, United Russia - official leader prime minister Dmitry Medvedev - is expected to have an overall majority in the 450-seat State Duma for the next five years. 111 million voters were able to cast ballots in Sunday's poll. 

Separately, governors' elections in Sibera saw the re-election for a third term of Sholban Kara-ool with 86% of votes as head of the government in the Tuva Republic.

United Russia candidate Natalia Zhdanova scored 53.8% to become governor of TransBaikal, a role she has played in an acting capacity since February.