Russia’s ruling United Russia party has won a parliamentary election by a wide margin, according to the Central Election Commission, after more than 95% of votes had been counted.⁣ ⁣ The result gives the party a strong majority in the State Duma and extends its control of Russia’s lower house of parliament.⁣ ⁣ United Russia secured 57.83% of the vote, the commission said. That compares with 49.8% in the previous State Duma election in 2021.⁣ ⁣ The election was presented by President Vladimir Putin as a test of public support for his government and its policies, including the conflict in Ukraine.⁣ Based on the results counted so far, United Russia is set to win 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats.⁣ ⁣ That would allow the party to retain its constitutional majority, giving it enough seats to pass constitutional amendments without support from other parliamentary groups.⁣ ⁣ The election took place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and growing international pressure on...