By KUNA
New Delhi : Himalayan state of Nepal Thursday voted in a historic Constituent Assembly polls that will decide the fate of the 239-year-old Monarchy.
Voting started peacefully this morning, news agency Press Trust of India reported, quoting a election official. Nearly 6,000 candidates are contesting the election under proportionate voting system while 4,021 candidates are in the fray under direct voting system, the official said.
As many as 55 political parties are contesting the polls. 17.6 million people are eligible to exercise their franchise.
In the run-up to the polls, Nepal, however, witnessed a violence-marred campaign.
The common agenda of the ruling Seven Party Alliance in the elections is to abolish monarchy and establish a federal democratic republic in Nepal.
The election marks the culmination of the peace process, which started with the signing of a deal in 2006 following which the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist eschewed their 10-year-long armed movement and joined the political mainstream.
The elections will also decide the fate of the Maoists and will be a test of their popular support.