Polling for constituent assembly (CA) is scheduled to take place on November 22, 2007, after two revisions of earlier dates. There is some uncertainty in the air considering third revision as well. At the moment, it seems that the issue at stake is of a choice between election and no election and not between good election and bad election. Any election is good or effective if it helps to change the incumbent government with the help of ballots.

The Election Commission is preparing itself to conduct the election. Some political parties are also gearing up their machinery for the election. However, from the contradictory statements coming from Maoists leaders, it appears that they are in two minds. A few days ago Maoist supremo Prachanda held discussions with representatives of civil society, indigenous communities and journalists in which he insisted on the postponement of the election if it was to be held before declaring a federal democratic republic or if it was to be conducted in the same old Panchayati style. Referring to the 22-point demand to be met before the election, he emphasised that the struggle for a true republic needed to be different from that conducted in Bihari style.

Interestingly, before Prachanda’s interactions, CP Gajurel, a senior Maoist leader, had warned the government of launching a movement if their demands were not met before polls. Significantly, on August 25, minister for information and communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Maoist second in command Dr Baburam Bhattarai had expressed divergent views regarding the polls. While Bhattarai was for postponement, the minister was for holding the election on time.

Psychologically, it is very difficult to bring about a change in lifestyle if it has been practiced for years on end unless change in the mindset is required owing to dire necessity. With regard to the Maoists as well, it seems very difficult for them to change their old culture of violence. The bullet culture or the strength of arms had given them an identity through

which they not only acquired their share in the government and the interim parliament, but also in the interim constitution, which was passed only with their consent and cooperation.

Definitely, one of the reasons behind the Maoists accepting constituent assembly election was that they were looking for a soft landing in the rough and tumble national politics.

Through their understanding with the seven-party alliance, the Maoists succeeded in dislodging the autocratic rule of the King, bringing monarchy under suspension, and getting some of royal properties nationalised. But for safe landing, the Maoists had to compromise on multiparty competitive politics. Since the Maoists are now embarking upon the new culture of ballot, their thousands of young militia have to adjust to a typical political dispensation of peaceful competition. But they have not been given adequate time to adjust to the new scheme of things. Either their top leaders have failed to convince the rank and file or they are simply not competent enough to guide the cadres through this terminal phase of political transition. Most of the militia personnel have never cast votes in their life.

The illeterate voters have a tremendous potential to change government peacefully. It has been seen that Mulayam Yadavs and Rawari Devis can be replaced only by Nitesh Kumars or Mayawatis and not by Mishras or Sinhas. This is the efficacy of a ballot. It gives voice to the voiceless. Of course, such balloting is possible only in direct elections.

The Maoists appear to be at crossroads with regard to entering the electoral arena. One group of Maoists is eager to participate in the election but another wants to abstain from plunging in. There may be tactical reasons behind this. They may want to put pressure on the government to accept some of their demands which might help them canvass for the election. In the ballot culture parties get votes after winning the hearts and minds of the voters. They cannot coerce voters to cast votes at gunpoint. They have to go to the people with their election manifestos telling what they have done for them in the past and what they promise to do for the future.

It seems that the Maoists are projecting two faces as election time approaches — one, their traditional revolutionary or communist face and another, a peace-loving democratic face. Interestingly, some recent steps of the Maoists have helped show their democratic face to the people. The Maoists nominating candidates for the National Human Rights Commission and ambassadorial posts are sure signs of change. Even earlier, their 10 nominees for MPs of the interim parliament from outside the party had also depicted their democratic nature. Thus, the Maoists might strategically decide to participate in the upcoming election with this democratic face.

Prof Mishra is ex-election commissioner