For more on the Russian State Duma election, we are joined from Shanghai by Zhang Xin, a researcher at the School of Advanced International and Area Studies at East China Normal University. Welcome to our program, Mr. Zhang.

Q1: Early results show the ruling party is leading the Duma race with over 40 percent of the votes.  How do you account for the United Russia party's success? How will the election results shape the political landscape in the near future?

Q2. This year, half of the MPs will be selected from single-mandate districts, while the other half will be selected from party lists. Why the change?