Adopted at the Seventh (Special) Session of
the Supreme Soviet of the USSR
Ninth Convocation
On October 7, 1977
Article 89. The Soviets of People's Deputies, i.e. the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Soviets of Union Republics, the Supreme Soviets of Autonomous Republics, the Soviets of People's Deputies of Territories and Regions, the Soviets of People's Deputies of Autonomous Regions and Autonomous Areas, and the Soviets of People's Deputies of districts, cities, city districts, settlements and villages shall constitute a single system of bodies of state authority.
Article 90. The term of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Soviets of Union Republics, and the Supreme Soviets of Autonomous Republics shall be five years.
Article 91. The most important matters within the jurisdiction of the respective Soviets of People's Deputies shall be considered and settled at their sessions.
Article 92. Soviets of People's Deputies shall form people's control bodies combining state control with control by the working people at enterprises, collective farms, institutions, and organisations.
Article 93. Soviets of People's Deputies shall direct all sectors of state economic, and social and cultural development, either directly or through bodies instituted by them, take decisions and ensure their execution, and verify their implementation.
Article 94. Soviets of People's Deputies shall function publicly on the basis of collective, free, constructive discussion and decision-making, of systematic reporting back to them and the people by their executive-administrative and other bodies, and of involving citizens on a broad scale in their work.
Article 95. Deputies to all Soviets shall be elected on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Article 96. Elections shall be universal: all citizens of the USSR who have reached the age of 18 shall have the right to vote and to be elected, with the exception of persons who have been certified insane.
Article 97. Elections shall be equal: each citizen shall have one vote; all voters shall exercise the franchise on an equal footing.
Article 98. Elections shall be direct: deputies to all Soviets of People's Deputies shall be elected by direct vote.
Article 99. Voting at elections shall be secret: control over voters' exercise of the franchise is inadmissible.
Article 100. The following shall have the right to nominate candidates: branches and organisations of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, trade unions, and the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League; co-operatives and other public organisations; work collectives, and meetings of servicemen in their military units.
Article 101. Deputies to Soviets of People's Deputies shall be elected by constituencies.
Article 102. Electors give mandates to their Deputies.
Article 103. Deputies are the plenipotentiary representatives of the people in the Soviets of People's Deputies.
Article 104. Deputies shall exercise their powers without discontinuing their regular employment or duties.
Article 105. A Deputy has the right to address inquiries to the appropriate state bodies and officials, who are obliged to reply to them at a session of the Soviet.
Article 106. Deputies shall be ensured conditions for the unhampered and effective exercise of their rights and duties.
Article 107. Deputies shall report on their work and on that of the Soviet to their constituents, and to the work collectives and public organisations that nominated them.
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Translation by
Novosti Press Agency
© 1996 Robert Beard
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Publishing House
Moscow
1985