The 1918 Constitution

• RSFSR was proclaimed in July 1918. This stated that supreme power rested with the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, which was made up of deputies from elected local soviets across Russia
• The congress was also made responsible for electing Sovnarkom.
• On the surface, the new constitution looked highly democratic. However there were limitations.
•  The vote was reserved for the toiling masses. Members of the former exploiting classes' were excluded from voting or holding public office.
• In the election to the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, the workers' vote was weighted in the proportion of five to one against that of the peasants.
• While Sovnarkom was officially appointed by the congress, in practice it was chosen by the Bolshevik/Communist Party's Central Committee.
• The structure was centralised and the real focus of power was the Party