as the source of the prosperous and cultured life of all the toilers.
Persons encroaching upon public, socialist property are enemies of the people.
ARTICLE 132
- Universal military service is a law.
Military service in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army is an honourable duty of the citizens of the U.S.S.R.
ARTICLE 133
- To defend the fatherland is the sacred duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R. Treason to the country—violation of the oath, desertion to the enemy, impairing the military power of the state, espionage—is punishable with all the severity of the law as the worst of crimes.
Chapter XI
THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM
ARTICLE 134
- Members of all Soviets of Toilers' Deputies—of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republics, the Soviets of Toilers' Deputies of the Territories and Regions, the Supreme Soviets of the Autonomous Republics, the Soviets of Toilers' Deputies of Autonomous Regions, area, district, city and rural (stanitsa, village, hamlet, kishlak, aul), Soviets of Toilers' Deputies—are elected by the electors on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by the secret ballot.
ARTICLE 135
- Elections of deputies are universal: all citizens of the U.S.S.R. who have reached the age of 18, irrespective of race or nationality, religion, standard of education, domicile, social origin, property status or past activities, have the right to vote in the election of deputies and to be elected, with the exception of the insane and persons convicted by court of law to sentences including deprivation of electoral rights.
ARTICLE 136
Elections of deputies are equal: each citizen is
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