ABSTRACT

Electoral politics, a principal source of power and leadership in any democratic political system, played a different role during seventy years of 'Soviet power.' One way to a clearer understanding of the depth and breadth of change inherent in the 1989 elections is to compare them to the traditional electoral system. Party leadership was reflected in an electoral platform as well as the nomination of leading party members to run for deputy in a number of districts: those higher on the party 'totem pole' received more nominations in a wider variety of locations. Draft electoral legislation based on proposals made at the 19th Party Conference was published in October 1988 for public discussion. Local electoral commissions were formed in late 1988 in territorial and national-territorial districts as well as in the social organizations allotted mandates. The leadership of these organizations usually put together suggested lists of candidates.