Pakistan, Sept. 21 -- Russia's ruling United Russia party has taken a clear lead in the country's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results. The figures were released as vote counting continued across the country.

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Russia's Central Election Commission said United Russia secured 57.53% of the vote after 71.17% of ballots were counted. The party's candidates were also leading in 208 of the 225 directly elected constituencies.

Based on the preliminary figures, United Russia was positioned to secure a constitutional majority in the State Duma. A constitutional majority requires at least 301 seats in the 450-member lower house of parliament.

The C...