The feat of bullet has cast a dark shadow on the power of ballot. The election campaigning in all the three Assembly constituencies in the tribal district of Gadchiroli - Armori, Gadchiroli and Aheri- has been badly affected following violence threat posed by Naxalites (CPI-Maoists). The CPI-Maoists have given a call to boycott the assembly elections.

The Maoists, who are now very aggressive in the wake of the recent arrest of their ideologue and politburo member Kobad Ghandy, killed at least three villagers last week in the district, branding them police informers and terrorized the people of the district if they defy their call on October 13.

The left-wing extremists, operating from their hideouts deep in the jungles often carry out surprise raids on police parties and strike at will. However, a boycott call means political campaigners too will now targeted by the Naxalites if those contesting do not heed the call to stay away from the ballot box.

The district administration was anxious about the threat and particularly increasing naxal violence post-Ghandy's arrest, whom the rebels insisted be released immediately or the state faces consequences.

Moreover, tension has been brewing in the tribal district since the Maoists issued a public "appeal" against participating in either electioneering or voting for the coming poll.

Pamphlets dropped by the Maoists in the region warning people that the election process would be "disrupted" if their boycott call were not heeded. In Dhanora, an anti-election notice has sprung up on an electric pole. The poster reads: boycott fake elections and create a peoples' government. Maoists threatened with dire consequences if anyone tries to defy the call. The posters also carry implicit threat to candidates who not respond to the boycott call. That these calls are having intended impact is evident from the lackluster campaign in the district. There are hardly any party flags, banners or cutouts that are usually used to attract public attention.

Shiva Pendam of Etapalli in the district said that he would not be able to defy the naxalite "dictate." "Who would provide me safety and security after the elections?" he asked.

"Almost all the people in the area are scared following the naxalite threat. I don't know whether I will be able cast my vote this time," says Deva Usandi of Dhanora, now a hotbed for the naxalite activity. As many as 31 police personnel, including five lady constables were gunned down by the naxalites while only one Maoist was killed in the area this year.

There have also been incidents of Naxalites kidnapping and even killing of political leaders to thwart the election process in the past. In one such incident, former Maharashtra minister and NCP legislator from Sironcha, Dharmaba Atram was kidnapped by the Naxalites in 90s. He was later released unharmed. However, then Gadchiroli district Congress president, Balu Kopa Bogami was not so lucky. Maoists killed him during the ZP elections in 2002.

Atul Patne, the Gadchiroli collector and district returning officer, admitted that fear prevailed among the voters in remote areas in the wake of the boycott call. "But we have made all the necessary precautions to prevent any such eventuality," he asserted.

Patne said prominent candidates were also provided with armed security in view of Naxal threat. "We are not taking any risk and hopeful that the election would complete peacefully," he added. The authorities have proposed the voting in the region from 7 am-3 pm to facilitate voters in remoter areas to have timely access to the polling booths. Two helicopters - a private and another a military chopper - have been deployed for Arial survey, transportation of poll officials and staff besides additional police party for emergencies.

Ashok Nete, sitting BJP MLA from Gadchiroli, who is seeking a re-election, admitted that he has skipped several remote villages along the Chhattisgarh border for campaigning in view of possible threat. "Though the district administration provided me with armed security, what would be the fate of my workers if any untoward incident happens?" he asked.

Manoj Sharma, the additional SP of the district, too endorsed that electioneering in all the three assembly constituencies had been badly affected. Despite heavy police security neither political workers nor the local people wanted to test Naxalite resolve over enforcing the boycott call. The government deployed over 7,000 additional police personnel, including 3,500 jawans of Border Security Force (BSF) to ensure peaceful elections.