Soviets polar hero focusing first parliamentary election. Soviet Government chiefs and 'heroes' joined with 90,000,000 other Russians in casting their votes in the Soviet union's first parliamentary election. A poll of 97.3% was returned and acclaimed as a great triumph. Photo shows, bearded Otto Schmidt 'Hero of the Soviet Union'and Vice-Chairman of the Central Election Commission, leaving a curtained booth after casting his vote. Otto Schmidt was commander and organiser of many brilliant Soviet polar flights. 17 December 1937