Nepal votes today to end monarchy

Kathmandu, Apr 10 (UNI) Nepalis are today casting their votes across the country in their first-ever Constituent Assembly (CA) election to abolish the 240-year-old monarchy and write a new, republican constitution.

The election is being held peacefully in the capital but the polls have been stalled in Chitwan, Mahottari and Siraha districts.

Voting process in the poll booth at Meghauli in Chitwan has been stalled.

Voting has been put off in two poll booths each in Mahottari and Siraha constituency.

Minor attacks, clashes have been reported in quite a few places, details of which are awaited, Kantipuronline reported.

The polls are said to be a historic event as no country has ever abolished monarchy through a CA election.

Hinting at acceptance of the monarchy's fate, King Gyanendra appealed to the people on Tuesday to take part in the CA polls that will formally abolish the monarchy.

UNI XC SKB KP2235