Despite violent run-up to the constituent assembly elections, people of Nepal on Thursday overwhelmingly voted in a peaceful manner with the turnout touching above 60 per cent.

Talking to mediapersons, chief election commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel said: “The turnout of the voters across the country is estimated to be around 60 per cent.”

However, he has yet to confirm it until information from all constituencies is received.

“Despite a few unpleasant incidents in some of the constituencies, the election was peaceful and the commission is happy with the outcome,” he added.

The commission has cancelled polling in 33 polling stations out of the 20,889 booths across the country, citing various anti-poll activities unleashed by political groups.

Expressing gratitude to the international community for providing necessary assistance and observing the polls, he said: “We are thankful to the entire international community, including the journalists, for participating in the election observation process.”

The commission has expected to give final result within 10 days. This election will elect 575 representatives under two different electoral systems - 240 of first-past-the-post and 335 of proportional representation electoral system - for the 601 constituent assemblies, where the cabinet would appoint 26 members.

Once the members of the assembly are elected, the first meeting of the assembly would pave the way for lasting peace and vibrant democracy, abolishing 240-year-old monarchy formally and declare Nepal a federal democratic republic state.

Meanwhile, three persons and an Independent candidate died in various incidents in central Tarai region.

According to Pokharel, Shambhu Prasad Singh, an Independent candidate from the Sarlahi constituency No 6, was shot dead in the evening.

Meanwhile, Maoist chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal, who had started bloody people’s war some 12 years ago from a remote district in mid-western region under the influence of Maoist principle of ‘power comes through the barrel of gun’, has exercised his franchise to achieve the power through ballot. He cast his vote from his hometown, Chitwan. Similarly, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala among other senior leaders cast their votes from their respective home districts.

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday hailed the elections, saying the ‘historic’ event would pave the way for the people of Nepal attaining a democratic future.

The reaction from India was very prompt as the ministry of external affairs said: “The successful constituent assembly elections in Nepal are a welcome and historic step towards realising the aspirations of the people of Nepal for a democratic future. This happy outcome is a product of the determination of the people of Nepal, with significant contributions by the political parties and the election commission of Nepal.”