Nepal goes to vote, monarchy on its way out

New Delhi: Nepal began holding its historic constituent assembly elections on Thursday.

The polls come as a culmination of a fragile peace process that began with the government's deal with the Maoists in 2006.

The new Assembly will rewrite the Constitution, formally ending 240 years of monarchy. The monarchy was suspended in April 2006 in the face of a popular uprising.

Over 17 million voters will select 240 candidates to the 601-member Constituent Assembly.

335 members will be elected through proportionate voting system while 26 candidates will be nominated by the Nepalese Prime Minister.