Voting began today in Nepal for the Constituent Assembly elections that will write the political fortune of the country and complete a peace process stalled for several years since the end of a decade-long civil war.
Voters lined up at the polling centres with much enthusiasm to exercise their franchise in the historical Constituent Assembly elections.
The much-awaited balloting started from 7 a.m. in major parts of the country. However, some voting centres encountered technical problems and opened late, The Himalayan Times reported.
Security agencies said that the lead-up to the elections remained mostly peaceful and the voting process has been started without a hitch across the country.
About 12,147,865 voters will vote at 18,457 polling centres in 240 constituencies.
Nepal will choose a 601-member Assembly to draft a new Constitution, including 240 elected under a direct voting system. There will be proportionate voting for 335 seats and the remaining 26 members will be nominated by the Government.
Top leaders of major political parties have cast their votes from their respective constituencies while Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety initiated the voting process by casting his vote from New Baneshwor.
The border with India has been sealed over the week-end in view of threats related to the polls. Movement of people and vehicles across the border was banned and additional security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas, officials said.
The Government has mobilised 200,000 security personnel, including 60,000 soldiers, and over one lakh Government staff to ensure security for the crucial polls.
“All preparations regarding the November 19 elections have been completed,” Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety told PTI yesterday.