The election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) made the CPN-Maoist the largest party in Nepal. As a leader of the largest party and head of the government, Prime Minister Prachanda has a major role in the presentday politics of the country. T he CAelection has given the CPN-Maoist and othermajor parties the mandate to work on thebasis of consensus until the new constitutionis framed by the CA. But the Maoists who secured 37 per cent seats in the CA broke the earlier alliance and formed the government with major support from theCPN-UML and the Madhesi JanaadhikarForum (MJF). This isolated the NepaliCongress(NC) and NC in turn decided to play the role of opposition in the CA. The priority of the CA is to make the new constitution. However, the present CA seems to concentrate on matters of lesser concerns. This is why people are worried whether the CA will be able to draft the new constitution on time. Political leaders, especially those constituting the CA, must realise that the new constitutionis to bolster the spirit of multiparty democracy and not to debilitate it. The major objective of the Maoists is to establisha republican system. To succeed in their goals the Maoists must therefore havefaith in the multiparty democracy system. The UN Secretary-General, in the 51stsession of the United Nations General Assembly, adopted the Universal Declarationon Democracy and urges Governments andParliaments throughout the world to be guided by its content. The 3 parts and the 27articles of the declaration bind all signatory countries of the world to follow the guidelines of the declaration. The first part of thedeclaration contains the principles ofdemocracy, which includes democracy as auniversally recognised ideal as well as agoal, which is based on common values shared by peoples throughout the world community irrespective of cultural, political,social and economic differences. As anideal, democracy aims essentially to preserveand promote the dignity and fundamentalrights of the individuals, to achievesocial justice, foster economic and social development of the community, strengthen cohesion of society and enhance national tranquillity. No one is above the law and all are equal before the law. Peace and economic,social and cultural development areboth conditions for the smooth functioning of democracy. There is thus interdependence between peace, development, respectfor and observance of the rule of lawand human rights.The second part of the declaration includesthe elements and exercise of democratic government. It elaborates that democracyis based on the existence of well structuredand well-functioning institutions.Democracy is founded on the right ofeveryone to take part in the management of public affairs; it therefore requires the existence of representative institutions at alllevels and, in particular, a Parliament inwhich all components of society are represented.The key element in the exercise ofdemocracy is the holding of free and fairelections at regular intervals enabling the people’s will to be expressed. Democracy thus goes hand in hand with an effective,honest and transparent government, freely chosen and accountable for its management of public affairs. Public accountability applies to all those who hold public authority,whether elected or non-elected. Judicial institutions and independent,impartial and effective oversight mechanisms are the guarantors of the rule of law on which democracy is founded. The state of democracy presupposes freedom of opinion and expression without interference,and freedom toseek, receive and impart information and ideas through any mediaand regardless of frontiers.The third part of the declaration elaborates on the international dimension ofdemocracy. Democracy must also be recognisedas an international principle, applicableto international organisations and tostates in their international relations. The principle of international democracy doesnot only mean equal or fair representation of states but also extends to the economicrights and duties of states. A democracy should support democratic principles in international relations. In order to strengthen international criminal justice, democracies must reject impunity for international crimes and serious violations of fundamental human rights. Now, the question is whether the Maoist led government is committed to UN declaration.NC as a responsible party will play apositive role in peace process and in drafting the constitution within the UN guidelines,though it may not join the government.It might not be necessary for NC tojoin the government if parties representing the government follow UN guidelines while writing the new constitution. Commitment to democracy is the only option the Maoist shave to protect the life of the governmentand show respect to the people’s mandate. Joshi is Central Working Committee member of NC Published in the Himalayan daily on monday Nov 3 20006 kartik 18 2065.